NHL Trade Rumors: What defenders should the Maple Leafs pursue?

As rumblings of a move operate in full swing, let’s explore three defenders who can and should be targeted by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Last week, the talk circuit of Leafs Nation became preoccupied with two off-ice narratives — the substance of which could potentially reshape the dynamic of one of the NHL’s most promising franchises if questions of a speculative nature are to be translated into a reality.

First, some head-turning rumblings out of St. Louis. As per Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic:

"The Blues are open for business, and it has been confirmed that they’re willing to move any of their core players, including captain Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Tarasenko. That doesn’t mean the 30 other teams have been informed of their availability, just that some GMs and others in the league have either heard or are under the impression that Armstrong will listen to offers on his key guys. Let’s establish two things before we go any further: The Blues aren’t believed to be actively shopping anyone at the moment, and just because they’re examining the possibility of a franchise-altering move doesn’t mean they will make one. It simply means that in the midst of a ghastly season, they are entertaining everything."

Second, the amplification of a recurring narrative in Toronto. As per TSN’s Bob McKenzie:

"There is no doubt in my mind that the Toronto Maple Leafs, between now and the trade deadline in February, nothing imminent of course, but their target would be to get help on the blueline.  If the St. Louis Blues say they’re open for business and they’re willing to listen on Alex Pietrangelo, or anybody else, you know the Leafs are going to make that call.  It doesn’t guarantee Pietrangelo will be traded by the Blues or if he is traded, that it would necessarily be to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but certainly Carolina, St. Louis anybody that’s got a good defenceman, Toronto will be interested in talking to them."

Indeed, the Maple Leafs’ blue line shall remain at the focal point of discussion across the hockey world until a move — or a firm degree of sufficient development — is made. As GM Kyle Dubas made clear, defense serves as “an area we can make great gains and continue to improve as a club. If that isn’t something that’s happening as we get closer to the end of February, I think we’ll certainly look to improve.”

As Buds fans await some form of resolution, let’s explore three potential targets who are almost surely on the Maple Leafs’ radar.

3. Alex Pietrangelo

Far and away the most discussed name in conjunction with Toronto over the past week has been that of Blues’ captain Alex Pietrangelo. The 28-year-old is currently signed to a $6.5 million cap hit into next season and shall undoubtedly act as a feature of rumination until a decision about his future is made.

As Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos has noted, the waters surrounding Pietrangelo are not necessarily being tested by Blues’ GM Doug Armstrong. That said, there also is good reason to believe that the defensive stud has not been rendered an unmovable piece.

Said Kypreos:

"I don’t think that Armstrong is shopping Pietrangelo, but that doesn’t keep teams from calling … and asking about him … I believe one of those teams is the Toronto Maple Leafs. I think where that would have to start is if Toronto and (GM) Kyle Dubas get St. Louis to possibly bite on (Nikita) Zaitsev’s contract — which is owed another five years at $4.5 million. If they can exchange right-handed defencemen, then there’s a chance you could put a package together maybe with a draft pick, a prospect, and then the likes of a young, fast player for St. Louis in the likes of (Kasperi) Kapanen or (Andreas) Johnsson."

Speaking — as he often does — in hypothetical terms, Kypreos’ speculation has been brushed aside by some of the Toronto faithful. Opponents to this line of inquiry are quick to highlight the Maple Leafs’ up and coming balancing act in relation to the salary cap as a hefty roadblock to “what ifs” of the promising variety. Such dismissals are to be expected — after all, the club has yet to sign Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen and (potentially) Jake Gardiner to term.

Nonetheless, Kypreos does raise a valid point. If Dubas is serious about retooling Mike Babcock’s roster to accommodate an upgrade on the team’s back end, it’s not just possible, but in fact plausible that such a reconceptualization would require the GM to move out Zaitsev’s contract in a package that would almost certainly contain Kapanen or Johnsson — one of whom will serve as something of an ‘odd man out’ amidst the years to come.

Of course, the central problem with acquiring a defender of Pietrangelo’s stature is that of uncertainty surrounding unrestricted free agency. Set to hit the market in 2020, the superstar is in a position to get paid top-end money — the sheer volume of which the Buds shall struggle to account for in light of having to move large sums of cash in the direction of the aforementioned Matthews, Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander, respectively.