Toronto Maple Leafs' Biggest Needs and Best Trade Fits at the Deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs are already preparing for next year as the NHL's trade deadline approaches. The Leafs are an obvious seller, but trading some of their high-priced veterans could suddenly have them in the buyer's market as well.

The team has a lot of holes to fill on the current roster. Toronto needs upgrades almost everywhere. The barrier is that the Leafs have to move some salaries to make almost any deals of consequence.

Let's take at look at the club's biggest needs and possible trade fits at the March deadline.

First-Line Centre

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The Need: First-Line Centre

The Leafs have lacked a first-line centre for years now. The last star pivot was the big Swede, Mats Sundin. Unfortunately, impact centres don't grow on trees.

Most are developed within an organization and stay with the same club for the bulk of the career—not always, but that has been a trend in the salary-cap era. The best teams are usually stacked at the centre-ice position.

Possible Fit: Eric Staal, Centre, Carolina Hurricanes, Age: 30, Cap Hit: $8.25 million

Eric Staal is likely past his peak as one of the top centres in the game, but he'd be an upgrade for the Leafs. Obviously, the Leafs would have to move at least one or two players to acquire him.

At 6'4" and well over 200 pounds, Staal would bring a physical presence along with his skill and speed with the puck. Pairing him with James van Riemsdyk would make some sense.

The Ontario native would understand the history and the draw of playing in Canada's largest market. A move closer to home could spur him to play some inspired hockey in the blue and white.

Top-Pairing Defenceman

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The Need: Top-Pairing Defenceman

The Maple Leafs have not been a good defensive team for several seasons now. Without Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer over the past two seasons, the team's goals-against average would be abysmal. At 3.02 goals allowed per game, the Leafs are just 25th in the league in that category.

The team needs to be better defensively as a whole, but shoring up the defence will help.

Possible Fit: Keith Yandle, Defenceman, Arizona Coyotes, Age: 28, Cap Hit: $5.25 million

Keith Yandle is an underrated defender who would easily slide into a top-pairing role in Toronto. The Coyotes are sellers given their record this season. Yandle is signed through next season and is a bargain at less than $6 million per season.

The Boston native has 93 points over the past two seasons. He's offensively minded and would complement Dion Phaneuf, if the Leafs retain their much-maligned captain. Yandle should have several good seasons ahead and would be a good replacement for the departed Cody Franson.

Two-Way Centre with Offensive Upside

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The Need: Two-Way Centre with Offensive Upside

The Leafs are in need of centre-ice depth. It's almost impossible for teams to have too much depth at this position, as most centres can easily move to the wing. The same can't be said for wingers given the defensive responsibilities and the added challenge of taking faceoffs.

Nazem Kadri has shown improvement as a two-way player. Tyler Bozak is overmatched in the role of a No. 1 centre. Both players have not been good enough defensively on a nightly basis.

Possible Fit: Ryan O'Reilly, Centre, Colorado Avalanche, Age: 24, Cap Hit: $5.80 million

Ryan O'Reilly has been rumoured to leave Colorado on several occasions. The native of Clinton, Ontario would experience a homecoming in being traded to the Maple Leafs.

O'Reilly has all of the attributes of an excellent two-way centre. He's an agile skater with soft hands who doesn't mind playing in the high-traffic areas. He plays a disciplined game that is badly needed in Toronto.

His skating ability allows him to be a good puck retriever. Teams cannot have too much of that on the roster.

He's just entering his best years, so he should eclipse his career high of 64 points in 2013-14 in the next few years.

Younger Depth Defenceman

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The Need: Younger Depth Defenceman

The Leafs need to focus on the future, so adding defenders over the age of 30 doesn't make a lot of sense. On the same token, they do need some blueliners who are entering their prime to help mentor players like Jake Gardiner, Morgan Reilly and other prospects within the organization such as Stuart Percy and Petter Granberg.

Defencemen take time to grow in the league, so getting someone in the middle of his career would be smart.

Possible Fit: Jeff Petry, Defenceman, Edmonton Oilers, Age: 27, Cap Hit: $3.075 million

Jeff Petry is an excellent skater who can separate players from the puck with strength or skilled defensive stick work. Yes, he has a minus-25 rating with the Oilers, but he's played the toughest minutes on that club all season long.

Petry is a great puck-moving defender who can exit the zone with ease once he gains possession. He has great vision, and if he's paired with a more defensive-minded partner, he could improve his offensive numbers quickly.

He's due to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but being that much closer to his Michigan home could mean he'd be willing to play for slightly less in Hogtown.

All player stats can be found on HockeyDB.com. All salary figures are from NHLNumbers.com. All team stats can be found on NHL.com.