The Athletic's James Mirtle has identified several Maple Leafs players who may be on the chopping block in order to create cap space for a significant trade.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are all but guaranteed to make multiple trades ahead of Friday's trade deadline, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
"What I know is the Toronto Maple Leafs, because of the cap situation, they're right on the cap line, they are going to look different on Friday after the deadline. Players coming in means players going out," Dreger said.
Dreger is not the only high-profile reporter suggesting that moves are on the immediate horizon in Toronto. James Mirtle of The Athletic recently joined JD Bunkis on his podcast to discuss the Leafs' imminent trade-deadline plans.
Bunkis and Mirtle spoke about several names who could potentially move. The consensus among both Toronto media personalities is that the Leafs are in need of cap space. There's no question about it: They're right. As such, both Mirtle and Bunkis agreed that there are some names who clearly stand out as the most likely to move and/or could end up on waivers.
WHO ARE THE PIECES MOST LIKELY TO BE WAIVED OR TRADED IN TORONTO?
Nick Robertson, Ryan Reaves, Connor Dewar, Conor Timmins and/or Simon Benoit are among the names being tossed around as potential trade or waiver candidates.
"They've got to move off of probably three players. So, if it's not Dewar and it's not Robertson, then it's going to have to be someone else and I don't see them trading Kampf and I don't think they're going to be able to trade Max Domi right now. The economic conditions are too tight... It's just not going to happen."
Judging by Mirtle's comments, he seems to think the pieces the Leafs are most likely to trade or waive will end up being Ryan Reaves and one of the bottom-pairing defensemen.
Reaves, if waived, will not provide the Leafs with the full $1.35M in relief, but the move would allow them to save over $1M. Conor Timmins being a right-shot defenseman could end up sparing his job, but his $1.1M cap hit still does make it a possibility that he's moved if they acquire a defenseman. Likewise, moving Simon Benoit and his $1.35M salary gives the Leafs some additional flexibility.
There was also a lengthy discussion about potentially waiving Connor Dewar, who has produced zero goals and just three points for the Leafs this season. Dewar makes $1.1M against the cap.
Mirtle also had a strong belief that Nick Robertson will be moved. If the Leafs bring in a third-line center and can't move Domi, then Domi would shift to the wing and Robertson will not slot in ahead of any of Max Pacioretty, Bobby McMann or Calle Jarnkrok in the top nine. There's just no fit there in Mirtle's mind.
With days until the trade deadline, we won't have long to wait to determine who will stay and who will go in Toronto.
