NHL Rumors: 2 Trade Candidates From the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs sit comfortably in a playoff position as we've reached the half-way point of the season. General manager Kyle Dubas has been making calls to get a sense of the trade market and while he's looking to add some more talent before the trade deadline, it's likely to come at a cost. 

Let's take a look at a couple of trade candidates who are likely being moved by the Maple Leafs:

Alexander Kerfoot

If the Maple Leafs want to upgrade in a major way on defense, Kerfoot is likely the one forward who will have to move. He's a steal at $3.5 million annually and is signed through next season which will be very appealing to other executives. The 27-year-old is versatile as he can play either wings or down the middle and is enjoying himself one of the best season's of his career with 31 points in 42 games playing mostly on the team's second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. 

Mitch Marner on Alexander Kerfoot: "He's a guy that I don't think gets enough love from media or anything like that. But I'll tell ya one thing — he gets a lot of love in our locker room."

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 1, 2022

Half of Leafs Nation wants Kerfoot to stick around as he really stepped up his game last postseason, meanwhile the other half are OK with him being dealt because they know the trade package could land some big names including potentially Josh Manson, John Klingberg or Jakob Chychrun.

Travis Dermott

The mobile defenseman is signed at $1.5 million through 2022-23 and is currently having an up and down season. Dermott hasn't been given consistent minutes this year from head coach Sheldon Keefe and has found himself in and out of the lineup at times. Because of the concussion to Jake Muzzin at the moment, the 25-year-old has moved up into the top-four. Of all the Leafs regular blueliners, Dermott averages the least amount of ice-time and could benefit from a change of scenery. The Newmarket, ON native has recorded only four points in 31 games. 

The Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken are said to have interest so we'll see if Dubas can strike a deal with either club before the March 21 deadline. If the injuries keep piling up in Toronto, perhaps they have no choice but to hang on to their trade candidate. Should be an interesting month in Toronto as Leafs Nation are curious to see if Dubas and company can execute their strategy leading up to the deadline.

Photo credit:  Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports