Proposed Noah Hanifin Trade Would Land D-Man in Toronto with the Maple Leafs

Everyone is quite aware by now that the Toronto Maple Leafs need some big-time help on the blueline. Chris Tanev has been at the top of their radar for some time, and we revealed two more targets they're being linked to, according to insider Chris Johnson.

While there are quite a few defensemen on the market who would fit more into the third-pairing role, or maybe even a second-pairing on this current Leafs' squad, there's only one available name who's a bonafide top-pairing star.

Daily Faceoff president of hockey content and insider Frank Seravalli figures Toronto should be going for the absolute best D-man on the market in Noah Hanifin, and he's proposed a trade that he feels might get it done:

Maple Leafs Get:

Noah Hanifin
Andrew Mangiapane

Calgary Flames Get:

2024 1st Rd Pick
NYI 2024 3rd Rd Pick
CGY 2024 5th Rd Pick
Nick Robertson
Ryan Reaves
Topi Niemela

While admitting that this proposal might sound "batshit crazy" to some, Seravalli says it gets Hanifin a lot closer to his purported chosen destination, his hometown of Boston, since the Bruins clearly can't afford him right now.

Middle-six winger and Toronto native Mangiapane would more than help cover the Leafs for the loss of Robertson, while adding that the Flames would have to retain 50% on his $2.9 million cap hit for this year and next.

From Calgary's end, in addition to the haul of picks, they get to "take a flier on NHL-ready players in Robertson and Niemela," while adding a tough guy in Reaves to watch out for the young 'uns on the roster.

Photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports