Toronto Maple Leafs Defense: Who Is In and Who Is Out After Deadline

With the NHL’s trade deadline less than a month away now, the Toronto Maple Leafs have begun to look at their options.

With all of the injuries that the Maple Leafs have had to overcome and slumps that players are in, those options are limited, and the same story exists when it comes to the defense.

The Maple Leafs’ defense consists of a lot of skilled players. Some of these players are considered to be the Maple Leafs future, so if they don’t get their playing time, than we could literally be watching the Maple Leafs’ future go right out the window.

This means that the Maple Leafs will focus heavily on their ‘D’ once the deadline is here.

So today, I am going to sort out who is in and who is out on the Maple Leafs defense after the deadline.

If the Maple Leafs are going to be successful in the future, than they might have to make some trades that they don’t want to. This means that some of the younger defensemen that are on the Leafs’ roster right now, may not be here come March 4.

Ian White is one of those guys. He has played at both the forward and defense positions, and has had a good season. This is exactly the type of player that some teams might be looking for. Watch for Brian Burke to wait until the last hour on trade deadline day to deal Ian White.

Not all of the Maple Leafs’ defensemen have had a good season. Jonas Frogren is one that has been stable defensively, and chips in offensively once and a while. He is not very young; however he could bring a veteran presence to the locker room of any NHL hockey club. Look for Frogren to be dealt for draft picks and/or a prospect.

I cannot seem to figure out if the Maple Leafs will keep or trade Jeff Finger.

The Maple Leafs could trade him because of his big contract that may become a nuisance once the re-build is complete and there may be a lot of teams interested in his services. However, I would not be surprised the least bit if they decide to keep him, with the way he has been playing this year.

The Maple Leafs got exactly what they were looking for out of Jeff Finger, but do not surprised if they deal him.

Mike Van Ryn could be considered as one of the Maple Leafs’ best offensive threats when it comes to their defense. He is a player that a team like Ottawa could be looking for. A good puck-moving defenseman that still has many more years in him. Look for Van Ryn to be dealt come deadline day.

Last year it was rumored that Pavel Kubina would be traded, and yes, the rumor mill has begun to churn out his name once again, along with Tomas Kaberle.

Kubina is a massive offensive threat, and Kaberle is one of the best puck-moving defenseman in the league. Kubina has arguably the best shot on the Maple Leafs’ roster, and both are capable of scoring 15 goals a year. Both of these players will be dealt on deadline day, possibly in a package together.

As you may have noticed, Jamie Sifers, Luke Schenn, and Anton Stralman were not listed. This is because these players are part of the Maple Leafs’ future, and are not going to be traded.

Come March 4 the Leafs’ defense will have a whole new look. It may not look as talented, and it may be full of prospects that are looking to make their mark in the NHL, and show that they are capable of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. So prepare yourself, for the long and bumpy ride that is the Toronto Maple Leafs.