Potential blue line options for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: There is some speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be looking to make multiple moves. Jake Muzzin going on the LTIR create a bit of a hole on the blue line.
Some potential blue line targets:
Jakob Chychrun – Arizona Coyotes – Belief is the Leafs have some interest. Would cost that equivalent to two first-round picks and possibly more.
Erik Karlsson – San Jose Sharks – Four years left at $11.5 million a no-movement clause will make it hard to move him
John Klingberg – Anaheim Ducks – Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said they need more offense from their blue line, and Klingberg as rental could provide that.
Matt Dumba – Minnesota Wild – Wild may use as an ‘own rental.’ A $6 million cap hit.
Vladislav Gavrikov – Columbus Blue Jackets – A $2.8 million cap hit for the stay-at-home defenseman.
Dmitry Orlov – Washington Capitals – $5.1 million and could be made available if they fall out of the race.
Brian Dumoulin – Pittsburgh Penguins – $4.1 million and could be made available if they fall out of the race.
Artem Zub – Ottawa Senators – $2.5 million but they may not be selling.
Scott Mayfield – New York Islanders – $1.45 million but they may not be selling.
Damon Severson – New Jersey Devils – $4.2 million but they may not be selling.
Luke Schenn – Vancouver Canucks – Right-handed at $850,000.
Tyler Myers – Vancouver Canucks – Expensive at $6 million.
Six defensemen that might interest the Toronto Maple Leafs
Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff: The Toronto Maple Leafs will have $5.625 million in available LTIR space. Arizona Coyotes Jakob Chychrun is an obvious option and here are six other potential defensemen targets for the Leafs if they go the trade route.
1 John Klingberg – Anaheim Ducks – RHD – pending UFA – $7 million AAV – Has a full no-trade until January first and could interest the Leafs if salary is retained. Could cost a first-plus.
2. Vladislav Gavrikov – Columbus Blue Jackets – LHD – pending UFA – $2.8 million AAV – A defensive defenseman.
3. Matt Roy – Los Angeles Kings – RHD – one-year left – $3.15 million AAV – The Kings are deep on the blue and may look to move someone.
4. Carson Soucy – Seattle Kraken – LHD – pending UFA – $2.75 million – May not be available just yet. Can play on both the left and right side. Could be moved closer to the deadline.
5. Nick Jensen – Washington Capitals – RHD – pending UFA – $2.5 million – Other teams would also be interested.
6. Dmitry Orlov – Washington Capitals – LHD – pending UFA – $5.1 million – Would cost more than Jensen to acquire and has bigger contract.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba would be another player to watch.
Seven teams believed to have spoken with the Coyotes about Jakob Chychrun
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun is getting closer to returning to the lineup there are several teams looking for defensemen.
Among the teams believed to be eyeing defensemen include the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings. All are believed to have spoken with the Coyotes about Chychurn.
The asking price is believed to be two first round picks and a high-end prospect.
Senators GM Pierre Dorion may not be interested in trading three consecutive first-round picks.
TSN: Mike Johnson on TSN matches up some of Pierre LeBrun’s potential trade candidates with some teams who might look to upgrade at some point before the trade deadline.
“That would be great. How about former Conn Smythe winner, Ryan O’Reilly? He’s having a down season, but is there a team that could use him for the playoffs stretch?
Johnson: “Well the Canadian flavor continues. This is getting a little greedy, but I’m in the belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs, who’ve struggled out of the gate, don’t need a defenseman solely, but they could also use help upfront.
Their depth forwards are not nearly as good. So imagine you could go with Matthews, Tavares and O’Reilly 1-2-3 down the middle? That would be the best center group in the league.
How about the Toronto Maple Leafs for Ryan O’Reilly. He’s familiar with the area. I think he’d be willing and excited and rejuvenated to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. And they could really secure the 1-2-3 line attack that they want to have that they are missing right now.