Ranking the Players the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Covet at the Trade Deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team in flux. This should be seen as a good thing as the well-worn path has not worked for a number of years. Changes are coming that fans need to embrace.

The team does need to jettison some veteran players for obvious on-ice and salary-cap issues. There is no definitive list, but don't be surprised if Tyler Bozak, Joffrey Lupul and, possibly, Dion Phaneuf have new addresses in another week.

Let's take a look at a ranking of the players who the Leafs should covet at the trade deadline. These are players that are reasonably likely to be available.

4. Jordan Staal

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Jordan Staal, Centre, Carolina Hurricanes, Age: 26, Cap Hit: $3.975 million

Jordan Staal has all the ingredients the Leafs need. He has a great CF60 number of 68.79 in 2014-15, which means he is driving possession very well. He's a big body at 6'4" and well over 200 pounds.

He thinks the game extremely well and would slide into a top-six role with the Leafs. He's versatile and would be a valuable addition based on his ability to play a 200-foot game consistently.

The Hurricanes are going nowhere fast, so as it is with many weak clubs, it's likely that most Carolina skaters are available for the right price. Staal is just entering his prime NHL years. He would make a lot of sense in Toronto as the club looks to build a new identity and stay competitive for the long term.

3. Ryan O'Reilly

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Ryan O'Reilly, Centre, Colorado Avalanche, Age: 24, Cap Hit: $6.0 million

Ryan O'Reilly has been one of those players who has exceeded expectations at the NHL level. He was not heralded as an elite skater in his draft year, but he has developed into a valuable top-six NHL forward. It could be argued that he has the tools to be a top-line centre.

He's earned 225 points in six seasons despite playing a defensive role for large parts of his NHL career. He's a trustworthy player who can play in all game situations. 

The Clinton, Ontario, native would know what he's getting into in terms of the media circus in Toronto, that cannot be said of a lot of players unfamiliar with the scene in Hogtown.

2. Jordan Eberle

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Jordan Eberle, Right Wing, Edmonton Oilers, Age: 24, Cap Hit: $6.0 million

Jordan Eberle has a great set of hands and can be dominant in the offensive zone. He's had a tough time in Edmonton right from his rookie season in that the team has never really been competitive.

He'd face some lean years in Toronto as well, but a change of scenery might see him return to his nearly point-per-game pace of 2011-12 when he had 76 points in 78 games. He has 262 points in 335 career NHL games.

Eberle is highly skilled but also has a defensive conscience. He's a heady player whose best offensive years should be ahead of him.

1. Keith Yandle

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Keith Yandle, Defenceman, Arizona Coyotes, Age: 28, Cap Hit: $5.5 million

The Arizona Coyotes are looking to make changes as the club has failed to challenge for a playoff spot in 2014-15. A number of players are available with Keith Yandle being a highly coveted offensive defenceman.

With Cody Franson already gone to Nashville and the Leafs in need of more offence from the point, Yandle would be a good fit. The Boston native has 40 points in 59 games this season.

With a shooting percentage of 2.4, he's actually sitting at less than of half his career average. In other words, Yandle should have another five or six goals this year based on his career statistics. 

Yandle's contract expires this year, so his next contract will likely be his final large NHL contract as he continues to be in his prime years.

All player stats are from hockeyDB.com. All advanced stats are from puckalytics.com. All salary information is available on NHLnumbers.com.