Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Is Closing In

On March 3rd, 2023, the NHL trade deadline closes. The Toronto Maple Leafs only have a few days to decide, and as of now, all options are on the table.

After it was announced that Jake Muzzlin wouldn’t be returning this season due to a cervical spine injury, the news lefts sports fans on the edge of their seats, wondering what the Leafs’ next move would be. Many wonder what the future will be for this hockey team and if they can win.

Being so close to the final deadline, general manager Kyle Dubas will need to be more aggressive with the decision than he has been in previous years. Dubas has a history of holding onto draft picks and prospects. However, if the Toronto Maple Leafs want to win the Stanley Cup, they must make a big move now. This means that Dubas needs to sign a prospect that the team can expect to improve the team’s chance of winning.

What Impacts This Trade

Kyle Dubas has a big decision to make with the trade. Of course, rebuilding the team will be his top priority. However, he also needs to include finances in his decision. Most teams in the NHL are on a strict budget this season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are no exception, with a salary cap budget of $82.5 million.

While $82.5 million sounds like a huge number to work with, three of the team’s major players are out with injuries this season but still on the payroll. Jake Muzzlin is recovering from a neck injury and spine injury on a $5.35 million salary, and Nick Robertson is recovering from a shoulder injury on a $796,667 salary.

Another key player that is in recovery is Victor Mete. He suffered from a lower-body injury in December 2022. This is Mete’s first season with the Maple Leafs, and he has a $750,000 salary.

With all of the salaries the Maple Leafs are currently working with, they are left with a $7.17 million budget. Since over $6 million of that is already in use, they are limited to a $1.135 million cap.

The Importance Of This Trade

With the NHL trade deadline quickly approaching, you might wonder why this one is crucial to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is because it’s important for them to weigh out their next moves, and it isn’t a good idea for general manager Kyle Dubas to rule out anything too quickly.

The Toronto Maple Leafs want to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, they don’t have the strongest history regarding this. In fact, they haven’t won a postseason game since 2004. The Maple Leafs have lost in the opening round the past six seasons and have lost 9 straight games since 2018.

The team needs improvement in a few areas to get their all-star break, including more forward depth and a stronger defence. They should be looking for this in the lineup they acquire since their future and winning potential depend on it.

It’s also important to note where the Maple Leafs are in their division right now before choosing a prospect. They’re currently second in the Atlantic division, which puts them 13 points behind the Boston Bruins and 2 points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This trade round is crucial for the Maple Leafs to have a chance at staying ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning. It also could give them the right edge to get ahead of the Boston Bruins.

Who Should Toronto Maple Leads Target?

In early February, it was announced that Conor Timmins signed a two-year deal with the Maple Leafs for $1.1 million. The Toronto Maple Leafs still have a few more choices to make for their trade package. So, who are the top prospects for the NHL trade deadline? Let’s take a look.

Max Domi

Max Domi is a fantasy first-round pick for a lot of sports fans. Long-term Toronto Maple Leafs fans remember when his father, Tie Domi, played on the team for 12 seasons. Tie was known as the enforcer and holds the NHL record for penalty minutes.

Fans know all about Tie’s iconic history with the Maple Leafs. So, why should the team grab his son before the trade deadline? Since Max first started playing with the NHL, he has had a tremendous amount of improvement in his game. His biggest weakness was his defence skills, which have come a long way, making him a threat on the ice.

The younger Domi is also known for his dynamic speed on the ice. He uses this to his advantage to trick the defence on the opposite team. He’s also an excellent play driver with great shot quality. If he’s one of the top prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs, his scoring ability could help them improve the odds of winning. This is one player they will want for more front depth.

Gavin Brindley

Another one of the top prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs is Gavin Brindley. He plays for the University of Michigan Athletics and Team USA. This young player would be the perfect fit for the team, and we believe he is first-round pick material because he’s 100% NHL-ready.

Brindley would be an excellent addition to the Maple Leafs roster because he’s skilled in pressuring other players and taking the puck. It doesn’t matter how intense the game gets; this player can remain focused on the game. This offensive player has great potential, with people even comparing his skills to Nick Robertson. Brindley should be on the first-round radar with the trade deadline so close.

David Reinbacher

It’s time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a big move regarding the future of their team’s success. Their deal during this trade deadline could also affect their gameplay next season. However, if they want to finish this season with a roster that takes them to the Stanley Cup, they should consider David Reinbacher as another first-round choice.

Austria may not have had the best season, but one defensive player stood out. David Reinbacher would be an excellent choice for the Toronto Maple Leafs since Reinbacher was responsible for two assists during the Austria game, which helped the team. He also has a powerful shot, making him a dominant force in the Austrian hockey league.