Toronto Maple Leafs: The 5 Best Trade Destinations for Francois Beauchemin
It's that time again, Leafs fans. The trade deadline is 23 days away and this is around the time Brian Burke starts to pull off blockbuster trades.
Last season he managed to trade six players on January 31st, as Matt Stajan, Nik Hagman, Jamal Mayers, Ian White, Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala were all dealt.
Coming in to the fold were Dion Phaneuf, J.S. Giguere, Fredrick Sjostrom and Keith Aulie, who was named to the AHL All-Star team not too long ago.
We're not here to debate whether the Leafs won those deals, but it was a day that changed the face of this franchise forever. It was the day the Leafs brought in their first captain since Mats Sundin—who is still due to have his jersey raised to the rafters of the ACC.
With those moves done, the Leafs were supposed to have one of the better defences in the league. Nearly a year later, only two truths have come from this. The Leafs defence hasn't been very good and the Leafs defence is massively overpaid as of right now.
One of those defenceman is Francois Beauchemin, whom the Leafs are actively shopping. He is due $3.8 million for the 2011-12 season, then becomes an unrestricted free agent.
This article will breakdown the top five possible destinations for Beauchemin. Three things to look for from these teams:
1. The need for a veteran defenceman;
2. A playoff team, or a team on the cusp of making it;
3. Have some cap space.
Atlanta Thrashers
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The Atlanta Thrashers are holding onto eighth spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference and are the only team in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference with more goals against than goals for.
General manager Rick Dudley is actively shopping for a couple of forwards and a defenceman, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution hockey beat writer Chris Vivlamore, and the Leafs would be happy to oblige to their demands.
The Thrashers have many good players, but more than likely the Leafs would sooner trade for salary relief or a draft pick.
Expected Return: One of Bryan Little, Brent Sopel, a draft pick or a prospect.
More than likely I can see a Sopel and third-rounder for Beauchemin. Sopel's contract expires at the end of the year and would give the Leafs nearly $4 million in cap space.
Washington Capitals
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We move on to the Washington Capitals, who sit in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with 66 points, however only four points up on the seventh-place New York Rangers.
If they happen to go on a losing streak or the Rangers and Habs win a good chunk of games, the Caps could tumble down the standings, resulting in a likely first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins that should be avoided.
The Bruins have Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara, who can each single-handedly win their team a playoff series or two, or three or four for that matter.
What the Caps are doing here is hopefully strengthening their defence so they don't have such a load for goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth to handle down the stretch run.
Expected Return: Scott Hannan, a prospect or a draft pick.
The most likely deal I can think of is Beauchemin for Hannan, who hasn't really fit in that well with the Caps. Washington would likely move him if it meant getting a top-four defenceman who is locked up longer than until the end of the year.
Hannan gives the Leafs roughly $4.5 million off the books, and to that I say awesome. Personally, if they want to give us Tom Poti for Mike Komisarek while we're at it, even better, but this Leaf fan can only dream.
Dallas Stars
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And you thought you got out of having to read a Brad Richards-to-Toronto rumor! Kidding aside, I'm not writing about a Tyler Bozak and Beauchemin-for-Brad Richards trade. Rather, I'm looking to give the Stars an extra piece to the puzzle for their playoff run.
Leading the NHL's Pacific Division with 65 points, the Stars are sitting pretty in third spot in the Western Conference, but after a rather hard-hitting and rough clash with the Bruins Thursday night, they really could use the help on the back end.
Beauchemin would give them an affordable piece who has Stanley Cup experience and is a great locker-room presence. He would likely play alongside Stephane Robidas or Matt Niskanen if dealt to Dallas.
Expected Return: Karlis Skrastins, a draft pick, or a prospect such as Scott Glennie.
A deal for Karlis Skrastins and a third-rounder is the most plausible deal for both sides. Skrastins is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, but is a known shot-blocker and a good defensive player—something the seventh-ranked shot-blocking Leafs would like to have for the stretch run.
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San Jose Sharks
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Here is the team that has drawn the most publicity from rumor sites from around the NHL with regard to Beauchemin. The San Jose Sharks have been tied to Francois Beauchemin for awhile now and the rumors just don't stop.
Beauchemin would provide the Sharks with another veteran presence to complement Dan Boyle.
After Rob Blake retired, the Sharks have really lacked that veteran point presence on the power play along with Boyle.
Beauchemin, a native of Quebec, could provide some mentorship to the likes of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Jason Demers, who are both just starting out in the NHL.
Expected Return: One of Devin Setoguchi and/or Marc-Edouard Vlasic, a draft pick or a prospect.
Setoguchi has been linked to Toronto and Beauchemin for a long time, and it wouldn't surprise me to see that deal done. However, another name that could surface is Vlasic, who is having a down year. San Jose coach Todd MacLellan appears to be leaning more heavily on his veteran core of Boyle, Wallin, Murray and Huskins, rather than giving Vlasic more responsibility.
Anaheim Ducks
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The Leafs are very familiar with the Ducks and seem to like to deal with them. Mike Brown and J.S. Giguere recently were acquired by the Leafs from the Ducks, and who's to say they won't hook up again for a tasty deal.
The Ducks sit in fifth spot in the NHL's Western Conference with 60 points, only one point behind fourth-place Nashville, for home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Anaheim's defence outside of Lubomir Visnovsky, Toni Lydman and rookie Cam Fowler is a touch below average, so adding a familiar face to Randy Carlyle's system may just be the ticket. Beauchemin played four seasons in Anaheim before signing a three-year deal with the Leafs in 2009.
Expected Return: Joffrey Lupul, a draft pick, or a prospect
Joffrey Lupul is an enigma in Anaheim. With a $4.25 million cap hit and playing on the third line, he really doesn't make much financial sense for the Ducks. Coming off of a serious staph infection, Lupul is looking to prove critics wrong and show he still has some serious upside. Lupul would likely spell Joey Crabb and play alongside Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel on the Leafs' second line.
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