NHL Toronto Maple Leafs: 7 Players Who Could Be on the Move

With Luca Caputi gone, the axe has started to fall on the Maple Leafs roster. Sure, Caputi leaving isn't a blockbuster deal of any sorts; but it does signal that GM Brian Burke is starting to push buttons and make phone calls regarding roster moves.

It's no secret the Leafs' penalty kill is downright awful—last in the league. They are also struggling with finding out who their No. 1 goaltender is. And in what has become a familiar theme over recent years, a No. 1 centre would be nice.

With that in mind, here are seven players who could be on the move from the Maple Leafs.

Tyler Bozak

Tyler Bozak by himself doesn't seem to offer much to other teams; although with another player, he could help net a big-name player.

Bozak is in just his third full season with the Leafs. He is on pace to set a career high in points and assists. He brings a lot of energy to the team and has bounced around from the top line to the third line. He has benefited from having different wingers contributing at different times.

Bozak is 25 years old, so he will be approaching his prime years as a player very soon, which could be attractive to other teams.

I like Bozak. I think he has a lot of potential, and he could maybe one day be a front-line centre. But if Burke has a chance to bring in a guy who can score 70 to 90 points, and Bozak is a piece he needs to part with, I would pull the trigger.

Bozak can fit in on any line, as he has shown and he can contribute. Any team that is looking to build with a young core could come calling.

Nikolai Kulemin

Kulemin had a great year last year: 30 goals and 27 assists. He beat his career point total by more than 20.

This year, he is on pace to reach maybe 35 points. He isn't the same player as last year. In fact, he is one of the reasons the MacRussian line had to be split up. Whatever is in his head, he needs to shake it out.

I think other teams might look at his potential and think he needs a scenario change. Like Bozak, Kulemin is only 25 years old and could be attractive to a team that wants a roster overhaul and to build around a young core.

After his 30-goal performance, it seemed like he could be a second-line winger for life, and maybe even a first-liner. But he needs to repeat that 2010-2011 season and change his output from 2011-2012 very quickly.

Other teams will want him for his potential and will probably be asking to get him at a cheap price. I think Burke will trade Kulemin as a statement move as he has before. "If you don't perform you don't play on my team" or something along those lines. Kulemin needs to change his game in a hurry to get off the trading block.

Nazem Kadri

Ever since he was last called up, Kadri has played very well. He has had some lapses on defence, but, hey, it's the Leafs. Who hasn't?

There has been much speculation that Burke and Wilson are trying to show him off to the league to get something for him. For myself, I hate this idea. I like Kadri and what he brings to the table. He is exciting to watch; and at only 21 years old, he has years ahead of him, where he can be a consistent contributor to this team.

But if Burke finds a good deal to send Kadri away, I don't think he'll think twice. Kadri is young and, like Bozak and Kulemin, can help a rebuilding team. Lately, Kadri has shown that he can help the Leafs on any given night. But I have a feeling Burke already made up his mind last year.

There are only so many spots on this team that will open full-time in the coming years at the centre position. And unless Kadri can be a No. 1 or No. 2 centre, I can't see Burke wanting to keep him around. They have Tim Connolly, Bozack, Mikhail Grabovski, Joe Colborne and David Steckle at those positions.

Unless Kadri will take a winger position full time, those five guys may have priority over Kadri in Burke's books.

Mike Komisarek

If and when Komisarek returns, he may be sought after by teams needing a veteran presence on the blue line. Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, they also could use one of these players.

This puts Burke at a disadvantage. He has a player who has playoff experience and can move the puck out of danger when he's on top of his game. But Komisarek has shown over these past couple of years that he is not always at the top of his game. Therefore, Burke would only be looking to get back a player like Komisarek.

Unless someone steps up and really fill in well, Komisarek will reclaim his spot once he returns. But for how long remains to be seen. Komisarek can probably bring back a draft pick and a young player in a deal. And if Burke thinks one of his young defensemen can fill the role, he could make the move.

Carl Gunnarsson

Gunnarsson is having another decent year with the Leafs. He doesn't score a lot or rack up many points, but he does a good job defensively when asked.

I don't think as a solo player Gunnarsson will bring back a big haul. But then again, a package deal including Gunnarsson would up the price of whoever is asking.

Another young and talented player, the Leafs should be looking to move some of them and bring in one or two veteran guys who can make a difference because of their playoff experience.

Gunnarsson won't help any team get to the playoffs by himself, but he would bring youth and energy to any team. Again, it is probably going to be a rebuilding team; not a playoff-bound one that will be asking for Gunnarsson. 

Jonas Gustavsson or James Reimer

The Leafs need to determine who their No. 1 goalie is.

Gustavsson has played well as a backup, but Reimer hasn't proven he deserves the bulk of the work since he has returned from injury.

The Leafs may not re-sign Gustavsson after this year, and therefore he is more likely one to be on the way out. I think Reimer could bring in a better package, just based on the hype surrounding him.

However, if you don't live within the Leafs Nation fan base, you probably aren't aware of it. Looking at his stats, you'd think that he has played well so far. The fact is, he has only played a little over half a full NHL season; and regardless of how good he looked before, a good GM won't bite on the hype.

Again, this leads me to lean towards the Leafs not having Gustavsson at season's end. There's no reason they can't have both, but I don't think either net-minder thinks of himself as a backup at this point in his careers. Both are eager for an opportunity to prove it. 

Making a Difference?

As stated before, most of these players wouldn't bring in much return by themselves. Packaged together, though, they could net a top draft pick or some proven talent.

I don't see Burke making many moves this year, though. I think he has stated that he likes this team and will wait for this team to grow. If they continue to drop in the standings, he could blow things up again. But after having done that for much of the last two years, I think he is becoming satisfied with many of the key components of this team: Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur, Dion Phanuef and Luke Schenn should all be considered safe at this point in time, along with a few others.

I don't see Burke pulling off a move like he did two years ago, when he brought in Phaneuf. However, we never know what Burke is thinking, and he could end up moving all these guys if the price is right.

As the season continues we'll hear more speculation from other teams as to who may be on the move and maybe Burke will jump in and steal somebody. You can never go wrong with acquiring a guy like Jarome Iginla, Eric Staal, Bobby Ryan or another big-name player.

Burke will always have his ears opening just in case the right deal comes along.