Sharks & Maple Leafs Emerging As Trade Partners

Keep an eye on the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs this summer.

There's been multiple reports surfacing that the Sharks and Leafs align perfectly as offseason trade partners, specifically for a trade involving Nick Robertson and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs are headed for a retool and Rielly and Robertson are two players who are on the trade block.

The Sharks have a need for both, especially Rielly. San Jose only has two defencemen under contract for next season and Rielly fits the bill of a veteran blueliner who can play in different situations, who happens to also be under contract for a few more seasons.

Robertson on the other hand, wants out of Toronto. He was non-committal at his end-of-season media availability and gave what many felt like was a farewell speech. Robertson's been giving one-year contracts the past two summers and wants some long-term stability. He was up and down the lineup all season long and Craig Berube would for some reason only play Robertson just over 12 minutes a game, despite his lethal shot, finishing the year with 16 goals. At 24 years old, there's a ton of untapped potential.

The Maple Leafs are in the process of hiring a new management regime, and don't be surprised to see it include Mats Sundin and Mike Gillis, who are familiar with each other from their days together in Vancouver. Moving off Rielly's contract will give the Leafs a ton of roster flexibility moving forward.

As far as trade return goes, if Rielly and Robertson are packaged to San Jose, the Leafs could land a top prospect or first-round pick.