NHL Trade Rumors: Which Toronto Maple Leafs Will Go?

With the trade deadline fast approaching (we are just 41 days away), every NHL general manager is eyeballing their counterparts’ rosters in order to determine if one or more of their assets could be had.

Cap restrictions and no-trade clauses make it very difficult for GMs to pull off the blockbuster trades we were used to seeing prior to the collective bargaining agreement, often leaving NHL fans wanting more.

This year will likely prove to be no different from last year and the year before that, which is to say, few high profile players will be moved. NHL fans will have to be satisfied with lesser deals that are void of “Gucci” names and often come with a return of draft picks or prospects.

Looking for the Maple Leafs to be buyers this trade deadline? Don't put any money on it! For the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it appears as if their beloved team will be sellers this year.

Brian Burke has said all along that he is not in the trading business, but the player development business, which leads me to believe that if Burke was to pull the trigger on a deal or two he would be looking for draft picks and/or prospects in return, not a high profile/high salary player.

Many Toronto fans are yearning for a top-flight centre to join the Leafs Nation, but, at this point, their dreams appear to be just that—dreams.

More likely, Burke will look to rid himself of some salary in order to get his team in the position to make a move this offseason, regardless of how thin the free agent market is shaping up to be.

Brad Richards and Alexander Semin represent the two most desired players that will potentially hit the free agent market, but if Burke wants to sign either one of them, he may have to trim some fat from his roster.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at which players are likely to stay and which are bound to be wearing a new jersey prior to or at the trade deadline.

Unrestricted free agents:

Fredrik Sjostrom (F)

Tim Brent (F)

Joey Crabb (F)

Mike Zigomanis (F)

Tomas Kaberle (D)

J.S. Giguere (G)

Of the five aforementioned pending unrestricted free agents, Tomas Kaberle and J.S. Giguere are the only two who have a no-trade clause. Lucky for Burke that Kaberle and Giguere are probably his two biggest bargaining chips!

We have all read the countless Kaberle rumors over the past two seasons. In an effort not to beat a dead horse, I will refrain from throwing out any Kaberle scenarios, but it should be noted that Kaberle’s value has historically been high, yet Burke has never been able to pull off a trade he deemed brought back fair value for the veteran D-man.

Kaberle should garner some interest from a number of Stanley Cup contending teams; ultimately it will be his choice and his choice alone whether or not he wants to leave Toronto, something he has been apprehensive to do in the past.

There has been no mention of a new contract for Kaberle, and it is worth noting that his trade value seems to be diminishing. A second-round draft pick and a prospect would likely get this deal done.

The longer Burke waits the more likely he will get a poor return for Kaberle. Let’s face it, this deal should have been completed last summer. Sadly, we may have another Mats Sundin on our hands, which is to say, Kaberle may not get moved.

J.S. Giguere has the cache of winning a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks, but he has not played at that level in a number of seasons.

Still, adding a backup with Giguere’s resume would be excellent insurance for a contending team that is leery of their starter or in need of a capable goalie to take on some of the load down the stretch.

With the Maple Leafs currently looking at both Jonas Gustavsson and James Reimer as their goaltenders of the future, it makes little sense to sign Giguere to an extension.

Once again, a second or third rounder probably gets this deal done. Even though most of his $6 million cap hit will have been absorbed by the Maple Leafs once the deadline rolls around, the team that picks him up would still be on the hook for more than $1 million, which is pricey for a goalie that has been very streaky and oft injured this season.

Fredrik Sjostrom may be on the trading block, but don’t expect Burke to get much in return. A fifth or sixth rounder is likely enough to pry Sjostrom away from the Blue and White.

Mike Zigomanis (whose veteran presence and faceoff abilities could bolster a playoff team) may get a sniff from a contender, but only as an insurance player, and only for a fifth or sixth rounder.

Tim Brent will likely be retained, as will Joey Crabb.

Restricted Free Agents:

Tyler Bozak (F)

Clarke MacArthur (F)

John Mitchell (F)

Mike Brown (F)

Darryl Boyce (F)

Luke Schenn (D)

Carl Gunnarsson (D)

Carl Gunnarsson, Luke Schenn, Clarke MacArthur and Tyler Bozak will likely garner some interest from contending clubs, especially MacArthur, who is having a career year.

The likelihood of any of these players going anywhere is slim. Schenn looks to be a huge part of the Leafs future, while Gunnarsson and Bozak are both a work in progress that Burke probably does not want to give up on.

MacArthur has fit in well with Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin, all three of whom are having career years. Burke would be foolish to let MacArthur go. Look for Burke to re-sign him to a two- or three-year deal.

John Mitchell will likely stay, not because the Maple Leafs want him, rather that there will be no interest from any NHL clubs.

Mike Brown, an effective checker, could garner some interest from a contending team that needs to bulk up. Burke will likely try to re-sign Brown in the offseason, but that doesn’t mean he will not consider moving Brown for the right offer.

Darryl Boyce is a bit of a wild card. Burke is yet to see how Boyce fits into his club. If Burke deems Boyce part of the Maple Leafs future, he may want to hold onto him. Truth be told, I doubt Boyce would get a sniff from contending NHL clubs anyways, so he will likely finish the season in the AHL with the Marlies or up with the big club so Burke can get a better handle on Boyce’s skill set.

Staying Put:

Phil Kessel (F)

Mikhail Grabovski (F)

Nikolai Kulemin (F)

Colby Armstrong (F)

Colton Orr (F)

Dion Phaneuf (D)

Mike Komisarek (D)

Luke Schenn (D)

Jonas Gustavsson (G)

Starting at the top, as much as some Maple Leaf fans would love to see Phil Kessel moved, he isn’t going anywhere. If Burke were to trade Kessel, it would be tough to get value in return and, on some level, he would be admitting that he made a mistake trading for him.

As mentioned, Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin have worked well together this season, with Clarke MacArthur playing well along side these two. It’s hard to believe that Burke would trade any of them; the betting line says all three will stay put.

Colby Armstrong likely could be had if the right offer presented itself, but his $3 million cap hit might scare teams away, as might his injury plagued season.

Colton Orr would bring little in return and at $1 million per, it’s difficult to imagine Burke could find another legitimate enforcer for that price.

Dion Phaneuf and Mike Komisarek are making too much money and playing well below expectations. For those reasons both players will remain in the Blue and White for quite sometime, which, in Komisarek’s case, is disappointing!

As I stated earlier, Luke Schenn looks to be an integral piece of the Maple Leafs future. As much as I believe Schenn may be Burke’s biggest bargaining chip at the deadline it would be tough to justify trading away a player with as much upside as Schenn…unless of course Luke got traded for his brother, Brayden Schenn…(which is not gonna happen, Leaf fans).

Jonas Gustavsson has yet to prove that he is capable of being a No. 1 NHL goaltender. As sad as that may be, outside of James Reimer (who may or may not be ready for an NHL assignment), Gustavsson is all the Maple Leafs have.

Unless Burke has a trick up his sleeve as far as future goalies go Gustavsson isn’t going anywhere.

Trade Bait:

Francois Beauchemin (D)

Brett Lebda (D)

Kris Versteeg (F)

We have already established that Tomas Kaberle, J.S. Giguere, Tyler Bozak, Carl Gunnarsson, Mike Zigomanis and Fredrik Sjostrom may garner some interest from playoff contending teams; we can add Brett Lebda, Francois Beauchemin and Kris Versteeg to that list.

Beauchemin has been rumored to be on the move all season long. His veteran presence and Stanley Cup experience may very well be coveted by a team that wants to bulk up on the back end.

Numerous clubs add a depth defenseman at the deadline (think ”Detroit Red Wings”). Beauchemin can still log heavy minutes and, despite the criticisms from the fans, has been decent when you consider he typically plays against the opposing team's top line. A second-round pick is not out of the question for the likes of Beauchemin, or perhaps a young prospect?

Brett Lebda may not get you much in return, but it is painfully obvious he will not be back with the Maple Leafs next season. A bag of pucks and an expired 649 ticket gets this deal done…or maybe a sixth or seventh rounder?

Kris Versteeg has been in a number of trade rumors. Some say he is going to Atlanta to join a number of Chicago Blackhawks castoffs, but it remains to be seen if the Thrashers are serious.

Versteeg has Stanley Cup experience, upside, speed and the potential to get hot down the stretch. He has had an up and down year with the Leafs, leading some to believe that his best hockey may be on another hockey team.

Versteeg has a reasonable contract ($3,083,333 through 2011-12), followed by restricted free agent status in 2012-13.

On the right team he can be a difference maker, and for that reason he could bring the Maple Leafs back a roster player and a decent prospect.

In turn, Burke could use what’s left of Versteeg’s $3,083,333 cap hit to acquire a free agent over the summer…but would the player he could sign be any better than Versteeg?

On the farm, Luca Caputi, Christian Hanson and Matt Lashoff may get a sniff, but only as part of a bigger deal. All three have spent most or all of the season with the Toronto Marlies so it is doubtful that any of them could help a playoff-contending team.

Might an offer for Nazem Kadri present itself? Perhaps. But the Leafs brass seems convinced that they have a future star on their hands, so I doubt Burke would move the young forward.

In conclusion, the most likely candidates to be traded out of Toronto look to be Francois Beauchemin (D), Brett Lebda (D), Kris Versteeg (F), Tomas Kaberle (D), J.S. Giguere (G), Tyler Bozak (F), Carl Gunnarsson (D), Mike Zigomanis (F) and Fredrik Sjostrom (F).

While it would be foolish to suggest all of these players will be traded, it’s safe to say that Burke would like to find new homes for three or four of these players, especially Kaberle, Giguere, Zigomanis and Lebda.

The returns would be modest, but the salary Burke would shed (much of which he will regardless of a trade) would allow him to address other areas where the club is lacking, mainly, down the middle.

Barring injury, I think Giguere will garner some interest, as will Kaberle, both of whom must waive their no-trade clauses.

There will be no high-end player coming back in return and any suggestion that Burke should trade for Dallas Stars centre Brad Richards would be foolish. Fact is, the Stars are a playoff team that, in all likelihood, will hold onto Richards and make him an offer in the summer.

Good luck, Mr. Burke. Considering your options, you are gonna need it!

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Until next time,

Peace!