Maple Leafs Could Reunite With Former First Round Pick On Jets

The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing well, but they are caught competing in a very tough race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, they are eight games above .500, and if they keep up the pace they're on or even just close to it, they will eventually separate and gain the upper hand on some of the teams around them.

With that being said, the Maple Leafs are dealing with injuries to the defense in which they will have to address. This isn't a season in which the team can afford to miss the playoffs with the talent they have. So, with Chris Tanev out for at least the remainder of the regular season, and Simon Benoit and Dakota Mermis also out on top of that, Toronto needs to make an addition on the back-end, preferably the right side.

While an addition doesn't exactly have to be someone who plays a similar role to Tanev, that would be ideal. Darren Dreger said, "Luke Schenn, he's an older guy. Why not reunite him with the Maple Leafs? Why not, you get him for a deep draft pick."

If the Maple Leafs are somewhat worried about spending, only to miss the playoffs, Schenn is the perfect defensive upgrade. But that's not how they should be thinking with the team they have and the playoff streak they have with mostly the same core group of players.

The Winnipeg Jets may have just had their four-game win streak snapped by Toronto, but they are still seven points out of a playoff spot in the West and have plenty of work to do. Even if they think they can come back, there are some players in the AHL that are ready to step in and potentially fill a role. This wouldn't hurt the Jets and give them another draft pick to utilize.