The Toronto Maple Leafs could have two perfect trade candidates whenever they choose to blow things up.
The most evident candidates are impending UFAs like Scott Laughton. Then, there are talented but underachieving players like Matias Maccelli. Talented blueliners like Brandon Carlo could also fetch attention, but won’t likely lead teams to overpay.
Beyond evident trade chips, the Maple Leafs can’t ignore two perfect trade candidates. As insider Elliotte Friedman pointed out, it’s not the UFAs that are getting the most interest. It’s players that are actually having good seasons. Specifically, Friedman named Nic Roy and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
“They’re not only talking about potentially the UFAs, but I think people would like to know if a guy like Nic Roy would be available; Oliver-Ekman Larsson.”
It makes sense that the Maple Leafs might be getting more calls on Ekman-Larsson and Roy than other players on the roster. Ekman-Larsson, even at 34, has had a solid season. He’s been the steadiest, most reliable defenseman for the Maple Leafs this season.
Ekman-Larsson has consistently scored while playing a hard-nosed style of hockey. The veteran blueliner has two more seasons left on his current deal at $3.5 million AAV. That’s pretty good when considering the going rate for average top-four defenseman these days.
He has a 16-team no-trade list. That rules out half of the league. But if a contender on his no-trade list wanted him, Ekman-Larsson may consider a move for a chance to win.
Maple Leafs Could Continue Recouping Pieces in Roy Trade
Nic Roy was the return the Maple Leafs got in the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade deal. Roy was a huge return for the Maple Leafs, considering they stood to lose Marner for nothing. While Roy hasn’t been a scoring machine, he’s managed to hold down the third-line role well.
Roy has been a steady presence, even when Auston Matthews has missed time. Given the demand for centers and the clear lack of supply, the Maple Leafs could actually cash in on Roy. While the return wouldn’t necessarily be first-round picks or top prospects, the Leafs could continue recouping pieces for Marner.
The 28-year-old blueliner has one more season on his current deal at $3 million. That’s a cap hit that could look very enticing to plenty of teams out there.
Trades Look Enticing but Could Create Problems
Overall, moving Roy and Ekman-Larsson looks promising for the Maple Leafs. They could recoup assets to flip or potentially further their rebuild. Roy and Ekman-Larsson look like the sorts of players contenders typically overpay for at the deadline.
That said, trading these pieces would leave the Maple Leafs with holes in the lineup. Toronto would suddenly need to find a 3C and another top-four blueliner. While that would be an offseason discussion, the fact is that the market is not overflowing with these players.
That situation would necessitate a concerted effort in finding replacements for Ekman-Larsson and Roy, especially since there are no clear internal successors. Perhaps these two trade candidates are among the last to go. But it will take a solid offer to pry them out of Toronto.
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