Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could be sellers with their provincial rivals as the Ottawa Senators reportedly seek defensive help.
According to a report from Ottawa Senators reporter Bruce Garrioch, the Sens are looking to acquire a right-handed defenseman as top priority.
Additionally, Garrioch also reports that along with Ottawa, multiple other teams are looking to shore up their right side, including multiple Atlantic Division teams.
The Toronto Maple Leafs may be one team that could be a solution for the Senators as the team eyes the potential of being buyers.
Brandon Carlo could be trade chips for Ottawa as deadline add
Brandon Carlo is looking like a real trade target just a year after Toronto gave up a first round pick to acquire him. They likely won’t recoup a first back for Carlo, but the Leafs could get some value for the 29-year-old.
Carlo has another year remaining on his contract at $3.5M while able to be a solid bottom-four defenseman, and would add a veteran presence for the Sens back end.
The defenseman isn’t an offensively dominant player, but leads from the blueline and plays a responsible shutdown game.
Senators top prospect, right-handed defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, has dealt with inconsistent performances in his first AHL season, and one more season in the minors may be necessary, with Carlo as a stopgap for when Yakemchuk is ready.
Ottawa was also hoping to bring fellow prospect Logan Hensler into the AHL for next season, but a potential season-ending leg injury will likely have him do another season in the NCAA, meaning the Senators could use a right-handed option for next season.
Could Toronto move a cheap rental instead?
Depending on the price of the market, Brandon Carlo may not be worth trading, but the Leafs could gain value for some of their depth.
On the right side, Philippe Myers is a defenseman who’s place at the end of the lineup has been challenged by waiver acquisition Troy Stecher.
Myers, as a 6’5 righty, could be a player of interest to a few teams as a sixth or seventh option, but for Ottawa, he is little of an upgrade from the player they have in that position in Niklas Matinpalo.
Toronto could also dangle other options such as Henry Thrun, Matt Benning, and William Villeneuve for some late picks to help build up their prospect pool.
Might Toronto look to be a three-team option somewhere?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have their retention slots open, and could allow them to eat some of a contract to gain back some picks.
In a hypothetical three-team trade, Toronto could either trade a defenseman to another team, while a team such as Ottawa makes a deal for a blueliner elsewhere.
Toronto could also just take on part of a salary to gain a draft pick back, and then look elsewhere for a defenseman to move from, all while adding a free pick in the process.
Depending on the market, the Toronto Maple Leafs defense could be a potential perfect trade partner with their rival in Ottawa.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
POLL
1 HOUR AGO|71 ANSWERS
Maple Leafs could trade a right-shot defenseman to the Senators; 3 paths that fit
What pick do you see Brandon Carlo going for in a hypothetical trade?