Ranking the Likeliest Toronto Maple Leafs Players to Be Traded

The Toronto Maple Leafs as you know them today are unlikely to be the team you will know following the NHL trade deadline on March 2.

Teams wallowing in mediocrity—or worse—will see change. The Leafs have been anything but a consistent squad for several seasons now.

There have been changes in management and coaching over the past few seasons. With a 1-10-1 record since taking over, new bench boss Peter Horachek has not had any answers and the gaze has now turned to the roster.

Players will be moved. Some on the list are likely to go on to very good NHL careers. It just won't be in Hogtown.

Let's rank the likeliest current Maple Leafs to be traded in the coming weeks, with No. 1 being the likeliest. Rankings are based on contract status, performance this season and how attractive the player is to other organizations.

Honorable mentions go to Nazem Kadri, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, David Clarkson and James Reimer.

5. Tyler Bozak, Centre

LM Otero/Associated Press

It would not be surprising to see Tyler Bozak leave Toronto. Is Bozak overpaid at a salary-cap hit of $4.2 million? Yes, he probably is.

But in today's NHL, that is not exorbitant for a second- or third-line centre on a good club.

He's signed through 2017-18, and while he's not a great offensive centreman, with good, two-way wingers, he'd likely be a regular 50-point man elsewhere.

He's not great at any one thing and needs to re-commit to the defensive game. However, it is amazing what a change of scenery can do for players.

Just ask winger David Perron about his new situation with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's posted 10 points in 13 games following his departure from Edmonton.

4. Dion Phaneuf, Defenceman

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

Despite all of the abuse hurled at the Leafs captain, Dion Phaneuf would improve every defence corps in the NHL. He's not a No. 1 defender on top squads, but in the right situation, he could be very effective for several more seasons.

The biggest issue is a cap hit of $7 million until 2020-21. The Leafs would potentially have to eat some salary here to move him, which they may not be willing to do.

At 29 years of age, Phaneuf should have a number of good years left. He's physical, can play a lot of minutes and still puts up good offensive numbers. He's got 22 points in 48 games this season.

It would take some creativity, but the club may have a new captain at the beginning of the 2015-16 season.

3. Daniel Winnik, Winger

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

Daniel Winnik has played some inspired hockey for the Leafs this year. He's had a limited offensive role in most games, yet he has 20 points in 50 games and is plus-12 on a defensively challenged club.

Winnik could be a superior third-line player for a contending team. At 6'2" and over 200 pounds, he can withstand the pounding that the playoffs will bring.

Winnik will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and has a reasonable contract at $1.3 million. Most of that contract will have been paid out by the trade deadline.

Expect Winnik to be dealt in the coming weeks.

2. Mike Santorelli, Forward

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

Mike Santorelli has been the epitome of versatility and steadiness for the Leafs this season. He's had 28 points in 52 games and has played in all game situations.

He would be a third-line skater on most good teams but has enough offensive upside to play a top-six role. As a pending UFA, Santorelli could yield a middle-round pick—at least—prior to the trade deadline.

Other than a year with the Florida Panthers, this season is likely to be the best offensive season in his career. He had 41 points in 2010 with the Panthers.

Santorelli has the tools and versatility to make a difference with a strong organization.

1. Cody Franson, Defenceman

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Cody Franson is the likeliest Maple Leaf to be traded. The right-shooting blueliner has had an excellent offensive season and boasts a blast from the point.

He's had 30 points in 50 games and has excelled in five-on-five play for the Leafs. Franson needs to continue to develop his defensive play, but he's an elite puck-mover who can generate offence in an instant either with a great pass or by skating the puck into the attacking zone.

Franson will be paid handsomely in his next contract as he will be a UFA this summer if he doesn't sign a new contract first.

There will be a lot of chatter about the native of Sicamous, British Columbia, in the next few weeks.

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.