NHL Trade Rumors: 10 D-Men Toronto Maple Leafs Could Replace Tomas Kaberle With

For the better part of a year now, trade talks have surrounded Tomas Kaberle, the Toronto Maple Leafs' top defenseman. Kaberle, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2010-11 season, will likely demand north of $4 million per year on the open market.

Kaberle is the quarterback of the team's power play and has piled up 85 assists in the last three seasons. Although the Leafs are deep defensively, they will need to find a replacement for Tomas Kaberle whether he leaves via a trade or in free agency this offseason.

The unrestricted free agent pool is deep on defense, but the Leafs also have the luxury of looking within the organization for Kaberle's successor, with a number of talented blue line prospects sitting below Kaberle on the depth chart.

Here are the 10 most likely candidates to replace Tomas Kaberle for the Maple Leafs in 2011.

10. Christian Ehrhoff, Vancouver Canucks

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 17: Christian Ehrhoff #5 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 17, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

In a dream scenario, the Maple Leafs would be able to replace Tomas Kaberle with a younger, more complete version of him in Christian Ehrhoff.

Unfortunately for Toronto, Ehrhoff is almost certainly going to be re-signed by Vancouver. In addition he will likely be getting a hefty raise in the offseason, and the Leafs have a ton of money tied up in their defensive group as it is.

But Toronto fans can dream can't they...

9. Anton Babchuk, Calgary Flames

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NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 24: Anton Babchuk #33 of the Calgary Flames skates during a hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 24, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Anton Babchuck could be a decent fit with Toronto. Unless they land a great offensive defenseman, the Leafs will only be looking to add depth at the position.

Babchuk is a solid value as a two-way defenseman, but has had tons of issues with durability, and likely would not be worth the risk.

8. Ian White, Carolina Hurricanes

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RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Ian White #7 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Dallas Stars at the RBC Center on November 29, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Stars defeated the Hurricanes 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes have to make a choice to re-sign either Joni Pitkanen or Ian White. I doubt they will be able to afford to sign both. Either of them would make a great addition to the Maple Leaf blue line.

However, I wonder how much White would want to return to Toronto, and how much they would want him back.

7. Brett Lebda, Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 06: Brett Lebda #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Buffalo Sabres at the Air Canada Centre on November 6, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

As I mentioned earlier, the Toronto Maple Leafs may look within their own depth chart for Tomas Kaberle's replacement.

Brett Lebda is a guy who would certainly see an increase in his work load if Kaberle were to leave Toronto. While Lebda has not put it all together at this point in his career, the Maple Leaf organization had high hopes for him, and maybe a shot at being a top four defenseman is all he needs.

6. Joni Pitkanen, Carolina Hurricanes

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 19: Joni Pitkanen #25 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 19, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Essentially a carbon copy of Tomas Kaberle, Joni Pitkanen would provide the Leafs with a younger more defensive version of their star defenseman.

That being said, Pitkanen will also command a bit more money in free agency. Is it necessary for the Leafs to spend that kind of money with the depth talent they have on defense?

5. James Wisniewski, New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 02: James Wisniewski #20 of the New York Islanders skates against the New York Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum on December 2, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

James Wisniewski would not likely be a long-term signing for the Leafs, but would be a one-year rental to fill Kaberle's shoes until they groomed his replacement.

Wisniewski is a solid offensive presence on the blue line and can be relied on for 25 to 40 points a season.

4. Ed Jovanovski, Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Ed Jovanovski #55 of the Phoenix Coyotes shoots the puck during the NHL game against the Florida Panthers at Jobing.com Arena on December 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Panthers defeated the Coyotes 2-1 in an overtime shoot

While he may have lost much of his offensive prowess, Ed Jovanovski has still shown flashes of excellence at the point. He would provide great experience and offensive ability to a young talented group of defensemen.

Depending on Jovanovski's asking price, he could be an ideal short-term signing for the Leafs.

3. Kevin Bieksa, Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 24: Kevin Bieksa #3 of the Vancouver Canucks chases down a loose puck after hitting David Jones #54 of the Colorado Avalanche into the end boards during the first period in NHL action on November 24, 2010 at Rogers Arena in Va

A steady offensive threat for the Vancouver Canucks, Kevin Bieksa has a realistic chance of hitting the free agent market this offseason. If he does, he would be a great fit for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.

He would be able to step in right away and replace a decent chunk of Kaberle's offensive production.

2. Marc-Andre Bergeron, Free Agent

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 18: Marc-Andre Bergeron #47 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 18, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsy

Although he is a defensive liability, Marc-Andre Bergeron would be able to fill the role of power play quarterback for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This signing would make the most since in the event that Kaberle is traded this season. Bergeron is currently a free agent, and would come very cheap to the Maple Leafs. He would provide a great patch for the rest of the season until they found a long-term fixture for their power play.

1. Carl Gunnarrson, Toronto Maple Leafs

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 08: Carl Gunnarsson #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on December 8, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Penguins defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Justin K. Alle

Carl Gunnarsson is the future on the blue line for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He burst onto the scene his rookie season but has suffered a bit of a sophomore slump this year. However, he has all of the talent to be a great all-around defenseman in the National Hockey League for years to come.

The reason there have been reports of the Maple Leafs shopping Kaberle is because they have confidence in this kid. He is going to replace Kaberle one way or the other.