Rumor: Leafs trading one of their top stars “is inevitable.”

There were a lot of rumors surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs and a potential trade this summer, specifically a trade that would have improved them as far as their defensive group is concerned, but that trade never materialized. 

The Leafs would eventually go the route of signing free agent defenseman Ron Hainsey however the Maple Leaf who was at the center of those trade rumors, forward James van Riemsdyk, is still rumored to be on the trading block.

Mike Augello of Hockey Buzz says that while a trade of van Riemsdyk may not be immanent, with teams wanting to see what they have to work with during training camp, he believes it "is inevitable."

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There's a strong belief that the former Philadelphia Flyers 2nd overall draft pick in 2007 will not be re-singing any type of contract extension as he looks to hit a major payday in free agency, perhaps the last big contract of his professional career. 

If the Leafs are anything shy of being serious Stanley Cup contenders, it seems almost certain that they would look to trade van Riemsdyk who;s contract expires at the end of the 2017-2018 season. While the Leafs may once again compete for a playoff spot this upcoming season, it seems highly unlikely that general manager Lou Lamoriello would let a player who put up 29 goals and 33 assists last season walk away for nothing.