Chris Tanev is a member of the Dallas Stars, So who do the Maple Leafs look to the back end?
Chris Tanev is a member of the Dallas Stars, So who do the Maple Leafs look to the back end?
Chris Tanev is officially off the board.
The Dallas Stars pulled the trigger on landing the right-shot defenseman on Wednesday, eliminating the Toronto Maple Leafs' hopes of landing the Toronto-born player.
The trade occurred just one day after TSN hockey insider Pierre Lebrun reported that the Stars had emerged as a front-runner and that the Flames were waiting to see if a team would offer up a first-round pick for the 34-year-old.
The Maple Leafs evidently felt that price was too steep and are moving on. After dressing six left-handed defensemen for the fourth time this season in a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, it's becoming painfully clear that the Leafs need some help on the right side. But any top-caliber defender would likely help. So who should the Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving target on the back end between now and the March 8 NHL Trade Deadline? Here are some options:
Noah Hanifin, Flames, Age: 26, AAV: $4.95 million, Contract Status: UFA 2024
Treliving has already struck out on Tanev and Nikita Zadorov but the top player available right now is the American defenseman Noah Hanifin. While it's been reported that Hanifin prefers going to the United States for his next deal, the Leafs should try here to persuade the defenseman and Flames to do a deal. With 11 goals and 23 assists in 59 games, the player has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to say no to eight teams.
It's not clear if Toronto is on that list or not. But even if they are, it hasn't stopped players from waiving their rights in the past. If the Leafs were to part with their first-round pick in 2024, it might have to be for him.
Sean Walker, Flyers, Age: 29, AAV $2.65 million, Contract Status: UFA 2024
Sean Walker is on pace for a career season with the Philadelphia Flyers. Regularly playing on the team's top-four D group, the 29-year-old has six goals and 16 assists in 60 games this season. With the Flyers holding a five-point lead in the Metropolitan Division, you'd think Philly would be buyers and not sellers. But all indications are they are still looking to the future despite their short-term success. That might make the asking price for the player too high for the Leafs. He's also 5'11", which isn't small, but it might be too small for Treliving who has expressed a desire for bigger defensemen.
Matt Dumba, Coyotes, Age: 29, AAV: $3.9 million, Contract Status: UFA 2024
Treliving reportedly were in on the Matt Dumba sweepstakes this summer before the defenseman signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes.
The player has regressed offensively over the last couple of years. Playing on the first pair of a struggling Coyotes team, a move to the Leafs could revitalized the Regina native. The real question is does it make sense? The Leafs ideally want to find a partner for Morgan Rielly and both players play a dynamic game that leads both typers of player wanting to join the rush. Are you getting Dumba so he can be a stay-at-home guy or are you moving him elsewhere in the lineup?
Ilya Lyubushkin, Ducks, Age: 29, AAV, $2.75 million, Contract Status: UFA 2024
The Maple Leafs already have some solid data points on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin. The 29-year-old was acquired by the the Leafs prior to the 2022 NHL trade deadline and settled in well playing alongside Morgan Rielly. Lyubushkin played his way to a bigger contract with the Buffalo Sabres that summer, signing a two-year, $5.5 million deal.
Right now, Lybushkin's play has regressed. He's on the third pair of a not -so-great Anaheim Ducks team. But that might make him cheap enough get for the Leafs. They'd be getting a familiar player who won't be counted on for offense.
Luke Schenn, Predators, Age: 34, AAV: $2.75 million, Contract Status: UFA 2026.
It's no secret that Luke Schenn was happy to be back with the Maple Leafs when the club acquired him for a third-round pick last year. It's also been reported that Leafs GM Brad Treliving wanted the player to return but they couldn't agree on term and money.
Well here's the thing... That term is a little bit less now. The experiments that the Leafs have tried instead of Schenn simply haven't worked out. There hasn't been a player who has brought out the best in Morgan Rielly quite like Luke Schenn. The way the duo performed during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoff run was solid. They were perfection.
The Predators probably don't have any desire to unload Schenn as the club goes through a rebuild. But one year later, it's funny how $2.75 million doesn't look like that much money anymore. Especially since you have Rielly locked up for many years and are still looking for the optimal fit.
Oh, and there's lots of money coming off the books this summer on the back end. There might be concerns about his age. But if there is one thing Schenn has had to learn throughout his career, it's how to adapt. And he's done it well.
It's a longshot and probably not going to happen. It probably hasn't even been discussed. But it's worth a phone call.
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