NHL Trade Rumors: Top 10 Trade Partners for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs have their work cut out for them. After all the struggles the Maple Leafs have faced this season (and the past few), the fact that the Maple Leafs haven't qualified for the playoffs since before the lockout, and amid rumblings that Head Coach Ron Wilson is about to be fired, GM Brian Burke has a lot of pressure to make moves that will return the Leafs to winning.
It's no secret that Burke would like to move defensemen Francois Beauchemin, Mike Komisarek, and Tomas Kaberle and Burke would like to get a top forward in return. Burke is likely stuck with Komisarek, but there are plenty of prospective suitors for Beauchemin and Kaberle. Here are the top prospects for a trade with the Maple Leafs.
10. Columbus Blue Jackets
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The Leafs are looking to unload the under-producing Francois Beauchemin and Tomas Kaberle. Each defenseman requires a big chunk of cap space, but the Columbus Blue Jackets are in need of some defense (especially since Mike Commodore has decided he would rather be somewhere else).
The Jackets are also reportedly interested in Tomas Kaberle, who Brian Burke has been looking to move for quite some time. Things are looking good for a trade between the two; if only the Leafs would relieve the Jackets of Commodore, it would be a match made in hockey heaven. Alas, they could settle for Chris Clark for one of the Leafs d-men.
9. Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings are reportedly interested in Beauchemin. They recently locked up Jack Johnson for a seven-year contract and have Doughty to strengthen their blue line as well. It could be further enhanced with a veteran addition, like Beauchemin.
Ponikarovsky back to the Maple Leafs in the deal? I don’t think Ponikarovsky has delivered quite what the Kings needed offensively, and Ponikarovsky is clearly well acquainted with the Leafs system. As an added bonus, the Leafs wouldn’t be responsible for him much longer. They’d gain a short-term forward, and clear up some cap space with a move like this.
8. Phoenix Coyotes
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The Coyotes are reportedly interested in Beauchemin as well. Scottie Upshall for Beauchemin, possibly?
Upshall signed a one-year extension prior to this season, but he never really hit the groove he had in Philadelphia during his time in Phoenix. He’s battled a couple injuries so maybe a change will be good for him to get back to his old habits.
Of course, Upshall’s contract requires around half of what Beauchemin requires, so the Coyotes will have to unload another player along with Upshall in order to get Beauchemin.
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7. New York Islanders
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The team has had their share of struggles this season and could use some fresh faces in their locker room. I think a Beauchemin or Kaberle for Zenon Konopka could work.
Sure, Konopka hasn’t produced much for the Isles this season, and is in fact a minus thus far in the season, but a change of scenery may cause a spurt in his production. Plus, Konopka is a tough presence on the ice; even if he’s not producing points.
6. Calgary Flames
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There has been a lot of speculation that Jarome Iginla’s tenure in Calgary has seen the end of its days. Another report shows the Flames’ interest in Tomas Kaberle from the Leafs.
Could a Kaberle for Iginla deal be in the works?
Iginla’s offensive production, not to mention leadership, would be a great surge for the struggling Maple Leafs. If the Flames are in fact looking to move Iginla, then this trade could kill two birds with one stone.
5. New Jersey Devils
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The Devils have struggled with injuries and the losses that follow injuries piling up. Lamoriello has started making moves (Langenbrunner to the Stars) and more are sure to come.
Here’s an idea that’s a little out there: Kovalchuk for Beauchemin and Kaberle.
Kovalchuk has been under-producing since signing that massive, controversial deal over the summer and both teams could use the ensuing roster shake-up. A more realistic trade scenario might be Jason Arnott for Beauchemin or Kaberle.
4. Colorado Avalanche
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Colorado has had some ups and downs this season. They’re a solid team though and unless something goes horribly wrong, they’ll have a spot in the playoffs.
Going into the playoff stretch, they could use some extra help on the blue line. The Czech Kaberle should go to the Avalanche. There are plenty of other Czechs on the team to make the transition comfortable for him. The Avs should offer a future draft picks in exchange.
3. San Jose Sharks
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The Sharks have fallen dramatically from where they were statistically last season. They're not getting the same production out of the guys who had superb years last year. The Dallas Star reported that the Sharks would look to acquire a defenseman before the trade deadline. Beauchemin tops the team's prospects.
One rumor is that the Sharks wouldn’t mind giving up young forward Devin Setoguchi in exchange for Beauchemin. I think a better alternative could be Patrick Marleau. Marleau hasn’t seen the same offensive success this year that he had last year, so he might not be missed in exchange for the d-man. His experience though, could be a good addition for the Leafs.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
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The Lightning's new ownership is building the foundation for a championship team. They already have the offensive talent and production, but have struggled with depth on the blue line and in goal. Yzerman has already moved veteran goaltending presence Dwayne Roloson to Tampa, so his next move will probably deal with the defensive aspect.
Beauchemin could be great for Tampa; he’s already accustomed to the Eastern Conference opponents so Tampa might be a better fit for him than a Western Conference team. Tampa could probably stand to move one of their forwards or future draft picks in return for Beauchemin.
1. Washington Capitals
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Defensive struggles have always been Washington’s downfall. The Toronto Maple Leafs want a higher producing forward. We've all heard the speculation of an Alexander Semin to insert another hockey team here.
Kaberle for Alexander Semin seems like a fair deal. Kaberle would fit in well in Washington; the Czech player would have a fellow countryman in Michal Neuvirth. Likewise, Semin would fit in well in Toronto with Belarusian Mikhail Grabovski and Russian Nikolai Kulemin.
Both teams might get exactly what they're looking for.
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