The Toronto Maple Leafs play in the media hot bed of the NHL and there's never a dull moment around the team. From setting expectations way to high each and every year, to transactions that leave you shaking your head, there's always something to talk about in Toronto.
The Leafs and general manager, Kyle Dubas were very busy this offseason as the team looks for the perfect recipe of players to try and get out of the first-round of the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. The Leafs brought in a ton of veterans including Joe Thornton, TJ Brodie, Zach Bogosian and Wayne Simmonds, who all bring a different element to the Leafs group.
More moves are coming for the Leafs as the team will surely be active around the trade deadline to try and fill in the gaps on their current roster. If the Leafs make trades, expect to hear these names included:
Timothy Liljegren
The 21-year-old has been hit or miss so far in the Leafs organization and a lot of it stems from an untimely ankle injury two years ago just as the team was going to call him up from the AHL. Liljegren was a former first-round pick in 2017, 17th overall, and is right on the brink of full-time minutes. His upside and his age make him a valuable trade piece, and if the Leafs are going to bring in some more talent at the deadline, look for the right-handed defenseman to be included in a deal.
Surely, Kyle Dubas won't trade Liljegren for a rental, so don't expect that any time soon. But if the Leafs make a move for someone who has term on their contract, Liljegren may be included.
Travis Dermott
Dermott signed a one-year deal at $874,125 for next season and it could turn out to be amazing value for the team. Dermott is one of the best skaters on the team and if he can limit the mistakes, will find himself in a top-4 defense core for the next 10 years. The smooth-skater is turning 24-years-old in December and given he's a restricted free-agent next season, he's a valuable trade piece because the team acquiring him receives his rights. The Leafs have a crowded defense and if the likes of Rasmus Sandin and Mikko Lehtonen show up to play next season, expect Dermott to be the odd man out.
William Nylander
Nylander is either loved or hated in Toronto and there is no in between. Some will argue his $6.9 million contract is great value to the team and others will argue the team needs to get rid of him because of his lack of will and determination. Nylander is still only 24, and scored a career high 31 goals last season. However, his work ethic has been questioned numerous times, and if the Leafs are going to create some cap space moving forward, his almost $7 million could be an option to get off the books.
If Nylander is moved from the Leafs it's likely to be for a solid young-defenseman on the cheap, and will be nothing short of a blockbuster move.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be an interesting team to watch in the eastern conference next season as with some new faces and the same ol' expectations, the team's success will come down to how the 'core four' and if the fresh blood can produce results.
If the team struggles, get ready, because the whole things going to be blown up!
Photo credit: Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire
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