Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumors

This article today isn’t just me relaying the rumors surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs. I am going to give my opinions on all of these rumors, so buckle your seat belts ladies and gents because I guarantee most of you are not going to like what I have to say.

The first rumor that seems to be popping up everywhere is Tyler Bozak for the Vancouver Canucks Roberto Luongo. Now don’t get me wrong I love Luongo, he’s a great goalie. However he’s turning 34 on Thursday and has 10 years left on his contract, so forgive me if I don’t want him on my team. Also the Canucks will never take Bozak the rental player straight up for Luongo they will need more and giving up draft picks at this point is a huge no-no. Plus James Reimer and Ben Scrivens haven’t been bad, they’ve been getting the job done. Having a goalie with a 10 year contract could effectively end the career with Leafs of both of these guys.

Mar. 21, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) looks to pass the puck during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Sun reported that the Leafs have been linked to the Phoenix Coyotes Keith Yandle, Florida Panthers Dmitry Kulikov, and the Calgary Flames Jay Bouwmeester. It has been documented that the Leafs are looking for a top 4 defenseman and with the amount of talented defensemen they have in the AHL this astounds me. I think the Leafs defensive problems boil down to who is in their top 4. It has been said that the reason the Leafs want a top 4 defenseman is so they have someone that can play with Dion Phaneuf. We have a ton of talented defenseman if you can’t find one to play with Phaneuf maybe its Phaneuf that is the problem. I maintain that the Leafs would be a lot better off if they trade Phaneuf. If you have Jake Gardiner as a healthy scratch and guys like Korbinian Holzer and Jesse Blacker in the minors acquiring defense should not be a priority.

Last rumor I want to address has been talked about by Lance Hornby and Darren Dreger. According to Hornby the Leafs are looking at acquiring Miikka Kiprusoff for a bargain price. Dreger said that there have been talks between the Flames and the Leafs and there will be continuing talks until the deadline. Dreger also said that Kiprusoff maintains that he’d consider a trade. This rumor worries me. Kipper has said he would not report to the team he is traded to and even though he says now that he will consider a trade it is a risky move to trade for him. Acquiring a goalie is not a top priority for the Leafs and frankly doesn’t need to be done right now. Even though Kipper is a bargain there is a reason why he is such a bargain and the Leafs cannot afford to take that risk right now.

I find it highly unlikely that the Leafs will make any moves at the deadline. They are in a playoff spot and have a lot of depth (I’ve watched the Marlies play in person and there is a ton of talent down there). They are not in the desperate position they were last year and will have a decent run if they don’t make any changes.