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NHL Trade Deadline: Toronto Maple Leafs Outlook, Fits, Trade Candidates

By Trin Potratz

Jan 13, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Trade Deadline: The rebuilding Maple Leafs have turned some heads in 2016-17 as a plethora of rookies stole the show.  Heading into Tuesday’s action, Toronto actually sits just 10 points behind division-leader Montreal and have three games in hand.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 1st, we will be looking at all 30 clubs to examine their potential strategy, whether they’re buyers/sellers, potential trade candidates, or fits to come over in a deal.

This time, we’ll be taking a look at the most discussed NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are surprising many folks as they sit 3rd in the Atlantic Division with a record of 24-17-10 (58 points).  They also have three games in hand on the Division-leading Habs.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs /

Toronto Maple Leafs

PREDICTION: LEAFS WIN SHATTENKIRK SWEEPSTAKES

The Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Kevin Shattenkirk sweepstakes and sign him to an extension immediately following the deal. Mike Zeisberger believes it’s a good bet to happen. Zeisberger also mentioned that the Leafs will be shopping Roman Polak.

The Leafs will also find Alexey Marchenko to be a much better fit on the club than Frank Corrado and even though Corrado cleared waivers, he will more than likely be joining a new club by the time March 1st rolls around.

For those unfamiliar with Marchenko, he’s a big-bodied Russian defender that plays a little bit with Nikita Zaitsev on the international stage.  He may be nothing more than a bottom-pair defender or depth guy, but it was still a sneaky pickup by the Leafs.

Toronto will ride Shattenkirk’s power-play prowess to the playoffs and set themselves up for a great run next season, and for years to come.

Next: Hypothetical Deals for Kevin Shattenkirk

POSSIBLE TRANSACTIONS

to STL: LW Leo Komarov, LW Kerby Rychel, D Travis Dermott, 2017 1st round pick
to TOR:D Kevin Shattenkirk, LW Scottie Upshall

to BOS:D Roman Polak
to TOR:D Tommy Cross, 2018 3rd round pick

to VAN:D Frankie Corrado
to TOR:D Alex Biega

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