3 new trade targets for Maple Leafs in order to solve defensive mess

Things have settled for the Toronto Maple Leafs now that they have earned seven of a possible eight points this month, boosting their record to 7-4-3.

However, one problem remains apparent and will need to be addressed by general manager Kyle Dubas before he starts trending again on social media for all of the wrong reasons. According to John Matisz of The Score, the state of the blue line is one of the biggest problem in Toronto and he strongly suggests the Maple Leafs find a solution to match their Stanley Cup aspirations.

“If Muzzin stays on long-term injured reserve, Dubas could use the cap space to acquire a top-four defenseman. The Leafs can’t currently take on another contract as they hit the league-maximum 50 earlier this week. Perhaps the club could pair a depth piece like Holl, Alex Kerfoot, or Pierre Engvall with an early-round draft pick to form an enticing trade package for a rebuilding team.”

By putting together these possible trade scenarios, Matisz proposed the Maple Leafs could target Columbus Blue Jackets’ Vladislav Gavrikov ($2.8-million cap hit and a pending unrestricted free agent), the Anaheim Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk ($3.9 million, pending UFA), and the Chicago Blackhawks’ Jake McCabe ($4 million, expires in 2025) to get the help Toronto desperately needs on the back end.

However, as he pointed out, the Leafs can’t currently take on another contract as they hit the league-maximum 50, but with a player going the other way, this could work.

This will be a puzzle, but one that needs to be solved soon in Toronto…