NHL Rumors: 4 Defensive Trade Options For the Maple Leafs

There are many trade options for the Toronto Maple Leafs flying around since they are a Stanley Cup contender with cap room to use now. If they decide to add on defence after giving their current players some time to prove themselves, then Jonas Siegel brings up four names the team could target.

The New York Islanders are the only team any of Dmitri Orlov, Artem Zub, Scott Mayfield, or Connor Murphy play for that is doing well. They wouldn't want to break anything up by trading away one of the players doing alright on their roster right now, even if they have a player like Robin Salo waiting for his opportunity.

The Washington Capitals are an interesting team with Orlov as he is an unrestricted free agent after the season and fits the role that Jake Muzzin left perfectly. The Maple Leafs would be replacing a former Stanley Cup winner with another one and would be able to fit his cap on their team. I expect the Capitals to play better once their team starts to get healthy. But it may be too late by that time and they could sell.

It doesn't appear as though Zub is likely to return to the Ottawa Senators next season. The team is looking for defensive help, but as far as contract talks are concerned, the Senators will focus on re-signing Alex DeBrincat first. Zub is a solid defenceman who plays the right side, is able to put up points, and has a cheap cap hit. The Senators are at the bottom of the standings again and they and the Maple Leafs often find themselves as trade partners.

Murphy is a longer-term commitment in that he is signed through 2025-26 at $4.4 million AAV. The Maple Leafs could fit him in this season and would have to make some adjustments for next season in order to be cap compliant. If they feel Muzzin won't return then they should be looking to fill their hole with a player locked in for more than this season. Murphy would be a great option and the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks would surely work out a trade.