NHL Rumors: 3 Maple Leafs Trade Targets

The Toronto Maple Leafs are among the league's elite this season and general manager Kyle Dubas will be busy trying to upgrade the roster before the March 3 trade deadline. There's been a number of different rumors surfacing throughout the past few weeks on who exactly the Leafs will go hard after, let's add some fuel to the fire:

Ryan O'Reilly, St Louis Blues

There's been reports from Pierre LeBrun and a few others that the St Louis Blues captain is on the Maple Leafs radar. O'Reilly would fit in nicely behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares down the middle in Toronto and he'd immediately help both the penalty kill and power play. O'Reilly is a pending free agent and with the team five points out of a playoff spot, if the struggles continue a move is going to become very likely. If the Blues decide to take the best offer for their captain, the Maple Leafs in the sweepstakes until the bitter end. 

Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks

Meier would be a great fit for the Maple Leafs second line, alongside Tavares and Mitch Marner. The fact he's a pending restricted free agent is a huge plus here for both teams because the fact his price tag will be higher than a rental and the fact the Leafs would have some team control moving forward. It would likely take a first-round pick and a top prospect to get the Sharks to bite. The good news is the fact the Leafs have plenty of prospects for the Sharks to consider. Meier has recorded 18 goals and 34 points in 35 games so far this season. 

James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers

A reunion in the works? Could be, as the Flyers will be shopping JVR to the highest bidder and if they retain half of his $7 million salary, there's going to be some heavy interest. The Flyers veteran has recorded 13 points in 15 games so far this season and is a great net-front presence for any team's top six. JVR loved his time in Toronto and considering he's only played for two franchises, there's certainly something to this. It will all come down to Dubas' interest in the fit and of course what exactly the Flyers are going to try and obtain in the deal. If it's just a second-round pick or a mid-level prospect, expect to see Toronto make a strong offer before March 3.

Photo credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports