NHL Rumors: 2 Trade Targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be buyers at this year's trade deadline as general manager Kyle Dubas will do whatever it takes to upgrade his roster. While it doesn't feel like a blockbuster move is coming out of the Maple Leafs, they do have a couples holes within their lineup they'd like to fill. Let's take a look at a couple of trade targets who could help their Stanley Cup playoff push:
Justin Braun, RHD, Philadelphia Flyers
The Maple Leafs would love to add a defenseman like Justin Braun as the Philadelphia Flyers blueliner is a shot blocking machine and a great penalty killer. He's also a pending free agent on a very cheap contract at $1.8 million and wouldn't cost a ton to acquire from the Flyers. The 35-year-old has 13 points in 49 games so far this season and his 100 games of postseason experience is something a ton of teams find appealing as they try to plug in experienced and battle-tested players to their lineup. Toronto could use Braun to fill out their defensive core as the team has been looking for help on their right side all season long. Expect to see Travis Dermott potentially moved in this deal.
Colin Miller, RHD, Buffalo Sabres
The Maple Leafs have been linked to Colin Miller for sometime as he's a familiar name to Dubas and company from their days in junior hockey together. Miller, like Braun is a pending free agent who at 29 years old is someone the team could look to bring back in the offseason. Miller is an offensive weapon at times who has a booming slap shot and can help out in all situations. So far in 2021-22 on a horrible team in Buffalo, the Sabres d-man has collected 12 points in 32 games. His career best of 41 points came back when he was a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. The mobile defenseman has performed well with 11 points in 30 postseason games and will certainly be dangled by the Sabres ahead of the March 21 trade deadline. He's currently rehabbing a back injury which may actually decrease the asking price. Expect to see the Maple Leafs in line for the bidding war.
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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