NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs F James van Riemsdyk
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Trade Rumors: JVR Hypothetical Trade Scenarios
Toronto trades F James van Riemsdyk and G Garret Sparks to Arizona in exchange for D Michael Stone, F Anthony Duclair, and D Kyle Capobianco
In this scenario, Toronto adds a quality RH defender capable of logging 20+ minutes/game. He probably wouldn’t replace Nikita Zaitsev on the top pair, but instead, slide into that second pairing with Jake Gardiner. Stone is capable of playing on both sides of special teams (power play/shorthanded), although there’s a catch with the 26-year-old. He’s set to become a UFA this summer, so getting him inked to an extension would be imperative.
The Maple Leafs also add Anthony Duclair to help replace JVR on the left side. One could argue that Toronto has a lot more depth at center/right wing, so it doesn’t make much sense to further bolster those positions. They also add a defensive prospect in Kyle Capobianco. He’s a highly underrated d-man playing for OHL Sudbury that Arizona could afford to move given the recent emergence of Anthony DeAngelo and Kyle Wood in 2016-17.
For Arizona, they add a quality top-six winger in JVR. The Coyotes believe they’re ready to start competing, but they could be without Shane Doan next year if he retires. They don’t exactly have a ton of depth up the left/right side with most of their top prospects serving up the middle.
Not that Arizona would have high expectations for Garret Sparks, but he would be an important piece in the deal to give the Yotes a little extra depth between the pipes with the oft-injured Mike Smith still hanging around.