Rumor: Trade Value Currently Higher For Maple Leafs' Defensemen

It's already been established that the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently shopping defensemen Travis Dermott and Justin Holl. However, according to Darren Dreger, for another team to acquire either one of them, they likely will have to overpay because it's still very early in the regular season.

Dreger on TSN1050 talking Holl/Dermott: "To move out one of those guys and this stage of the season, I think a team that is inquiring or is acquiring is going to have to overpay for either player".
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 5, 2021

This is an interesting point by Dreger, but ultimately does make sense. At this juncture of the campaign, the vast majority of franchises are still trying to cement themselves as legitimate playoff contenders. Therefore, some teams in need of help on the backend may be willing to give up a little more.

Dermott and Holl are also two NHL-caliber defensemen who have very affordable contracts for the next two seasons. Dermott has a cap hit of $1.5 million, while Holl is making $2 million per season.

In 12 games on the year thus far, Dermott has one assist. Holl, on the other hand, has zero points and has a -5 rating in eight games.

We will have to wait and see what the Leafs do from here, but they are in a good position to get a nice return if they act quickly.