Fansided

5 buyers who can complete a Stanley Cup roster at the trade deadline

By Bruin Belisle

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 12: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins battles against William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 12, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 12: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins battles against William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 12, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 20: John Tavares #91, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs sit on the bench against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 20, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 20: John Tavares #91, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs sit on the bench against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 20, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs have already addressed their top concern when they added defenseman Jake Muzzin from the LA Kings. Muzzin had an immediate impact with the buds and it was apparent they were a better team because of the deal. They still need one or two more pieces before they’ll be ready to make a Cup run, though.

General Manager Kyle Dubas is a very bright kid. Yes, kid. The 33-year-old wunderkind has to find a way to lock down Mitch Marner in the offseason and doing so won’t be cheap. If he can shed some cap space in the process, he’ll truly prove his worth (if he hasn’t already). There’s a chance he does that this deadline, but most believe a Cup is priority numero uno this year.

The Maple Leafs don’t necessarily need anyone, but the roster they have might have trouble with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins – a team they just can’t seem to figure out in the playoffs. Adding a guy like Wayne Simmonds from Philadelphia would give them that perfect mix of skill and toughness they need to finally beat the Bruins in a seven game series… maybe.

The Leafs are truly in need of a right-handed d-man. Trade talks with the Carolina Hurricanes have apparently reignited, as the ‘Canes have a plethora of right-handed defensemen. If the Leafs could get their hands on one of them without moving too much, they would be as well structured for a Cup as anyone.

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