Trade in the works in Toronto?!

GM Kyle Dubas has some tough choices ahead...

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Trade in the works in Toronto?!
Zuma Press

At the moment, most Toronto Maple Leafs fans are thinking about the conundrum the team is facing with free agent William Nylander and if the young forward will be signed in time to start the season on Oct.3. However, they might be looking at another tough choice happening in the Leafs' front office that could result in a significant trade. 

The panel of insiders on TSN' Insider Trading discussed what could take place with pending free agent defenseman Jake Gardiner as many believe he could be pushed on the trade bait sooner than later. 

"Here’s a player that’s kind of slipped under the free agent radar – and that is of course Jake Gardiner, who is a pending unrestricted free agent next July 1, explained Darren Dreger during the segment. 

"And when you look at the bigger picture in terms of the cap issues that the Leafs are going to face, just add one more body into that mix. Jake Gardiner is coming off a career year of 52 points. If he were to equal that or better that this season, he’s going to command as an unrestricted free agent in the high sixes, or the low sevens (in terms of million) so dialogue between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jake Gardiner is expected to get underway in the next several weeks."

Gardiner had a strong showing Leafs last year, seeing that he played all 82 games in the regular season and registered 52 points (five goals and 47 assists). He averaged 22:32 on the ice, blocked 103 shots, threw 51 hits and had 39 takeaways. Of course, most people remember the giveaways... and his performance during the Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins. The veteran defenseman was on the ice for five of Boston’s goals... 

GM Kyle Dubas needs to consider moving him as Gardiner remains a valuable trade chip that the Leafs could easily use to improve other parts of the roster, and if not, free up cap space. Which is becoming quite important with other free agents, like Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews to re-sign in the summer of 2019. 

One thing is sure: he cannot be lost at the end of the year for nothing. As Dreger points out, he could ask for $6 or $7 million per season, and might not agree to a hometown discount. The Leafs might be bigger winner if they move Gardiner in return for a defensive right hander.


Source: TSN