3 Maple Leafs Most Likely To Be Traded
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka is known as being someone who loves to wheel and deal, and early on in his tenure as Leafs GM, he's shown that narrative is 100% accurate.
Chayka's made some significant changes to the Maple Leafs roster in three short months, and while for now it appears their team is set heading into training camp, expect to see Chayka active during the season, tinkering with his lineup via trade.
Here's three Maple Leafs who are most likely to be traded this season:
Dakota Joshua
Joshua is in tough this season as the competition among the Maple Leafs bottom six is much tougher, and deeper heading into next season. He'll need to stand out for his aggressiveness, physicality, and Joshua needs to prove to management he can contribute with consistent secondary scoring. The 30-year-old has two seasons left on his contract, owed $3.2 million AAV, and owns a 12-team no-trade clause. If Joshua gets off to a slow start, don't be surprised to see Chayka include him in a trade package.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
OEL had a ton of teams interested in him this offseason, and if Morgan Rielly's future was more clear, then perhaps Chayka accepts one of the multiple offers. The Leafs won't give up on OEL unless they are blown out of the water on how big the offer is. The Swedish veteran defenceman turned back the clock last season and had a great year, and contract wise, is on the books for $3.5 million AAV. OEL owns a 16-team no-trade clause, but it will take a big offer to get Chayka to bite here.
Philippe Myers
With Darren Raddysh coming in via Tampa Bay, Emil Andrae coming from Philly, and prospect Ben Danford knocking on the door, Myers has become expendable for the Maple Leafs. He'll likely start the season in the AHL, and if he performs well, other teams will notice. Myers is lanky, he's a righty, and he can skate very well for his size, so there's some intrigue there. The downfall is that he's not consistent, isn't physical enough for his size, and his puck management skills are lacking. Myers is a pending free agent and is probably the most likely Maple Leaf to be dealt this season.