Following Sunday's trade that saw general manager Lou Lamoriello send forward Shawn Matthias and the balance of his $2.3-million cap hit to the Colorado Avalanche, the Maple Leafs still possess a bevy of impending unrestricted free agents who can be used as bait in advance of the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline.
The Maple Leafs are well positioned to further stock the cupboard through the draft, as the players above are capable of fetching more picks and prospects.
On top of that, the Maple Leafs have prominent restricted free agents Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly to take care of. Reimer could also be retained, which would make Jonathan Bernier the odd man out in net.
It remains to be seen whether players like Joffrey Lupul, James van Riemsdyk, and Tyler Bozak - all currently on injured reserve - are part of Brendan Shanahan's long-term plan, or if they'll meet the same fate as Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel in being shipped out of town.
What's clear is the Maple Leafs are trying to wipe the slate as clean as possible in hopes of building a winning product from the ground up, and the deconstruction process could go into overdrive over the next eight days.
DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche fortified their front line by picking up forward Shawn Matthias in a trade with Toronto on Sunday.
In exchange, the Maple Leafs received forward Colin Smith and a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft. The 6-foot...
TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Colin Smith and a 2016 fourth-round draft pick from the Colorado Avalanche for forward Shawn Matthias on Sunday.
Matthias, 28, had six goals and 11 assists in 51 games this season with Toront...
Matthias, who signed a one-year, $2.3-million contract with the Maple Leafs last summer, recorded six goals and 11 assists in 51 games in Toronto, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
He'll be called upon to help the Avalanche clinch a playoff spot down the stretch as a depth forward.
Meanwhile, Toronto dumps another contract and adds another pick to the stockpile.
That's what the St. John's Ice Caps must have said to Bud Holloway following his crazy, diving open-net save against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday.
With Carey Price still out with an injury, maybe the Montreal Canadiens - the Ice Caps' parent club - should give Holloway a look in net.
On Sunday, when a charging Nicolas Deslauriers skated toward him with the intention of doing just that, the Pittsburgh Penguins star ducked and flipped the forward over his back.
Dale Weise could be on the way out of Montreal amid a disappointing campaign for the Canadiens.
The soon-to-be unrestricted free agent admitted Sunday he's a good candidate to be traded ahead of the Feb. 29 deadline as Montreal's playoff chances continue to fade.
"I'm not going to lie, I know there's a good chance I'll be traded," he told Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Sunday. "It's sad because playing here is a dream come true.
"Of course being traded is on my mind with us on the outside looking in and my status as UFA. Chances are better than me staying."
The 27-year-old got off to a hot start this season, scoring six goals in October alone. His play was slowed by an injury suffered in the Winter Classic that kept him out of the lineup for over two weeks, but he's only four points shy of his career high with plenty of hockey left to play.
Weise is in the final season of a two-year, $2.05-million deal he signed in 2014.
Ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline, we're taking a look at each division and assessing who's buying, who's selling, and who's standing pat.
Statistically the weakest division in the league, with teams averaging just 61 points through 57 games this season, the Pacific Division is currently home to three of the seven worst records in the NHL and only two teams that crack the top 10.
That's exactly why the division also encompasses some of the most desirable rental options and trade bait available. Adding another wrinkle, the Pacific currently boasts three legitimate contenders who all call California home.
With the Pacific's balance of buyers, sellers, and potential high-end assets, a rare intraconference trade could make an appearance ahead of the February deadline.
Buyers
Los Angeles Kings
It's no secret that the Kings have been in the market for a defenseman for some time, having been unable to find a long-term fix since the abrupt loss of Slava Voynov.
Up front, the club found out in mid-February that Marian Gaborik might miss significant time and could be questionable for the playoffs, so the Kings may be scouring the market for a scoring winger as well.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have been heavy hitters offensively, averaging the fourth-most goals per game at 2.89. However, on the other side of the puck, they've lacked the same impact.
San Jose's given up 2.67 goals per game, good enough for 13th in the league, while its penalty killing sits 16th. The club has a steady top four on the back end, but its bottom pairing remains largely inexperienced.
Potential trade candidates Dan Hamhuis and Kris Russell make the most sense as reliable two-way options to upgrade the team's defense.
Arizona Coyotes
It's hard to be a seller when you don't have a lot to sell.
The Arizona Coyotes are in the midst of a big rebuild, and while that usually entails selling off assets for picks, the Coyotes have very few players that could garner such a return.
Mikkel Boedker's name has been tossed around, but the club would surely like to retain him. It would be ideal if the Coyotes could use their deep (and very young) prospect pool to swing a deal, at any position, that would benefit the club not just this season, but going forward.
The team has plenty of young talent, so a high draft pick - though intriguing - is not necessary. Arizona's eyes should be on an acquisition who's ready now.
Sellers
Edmonton Oilers
With the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz among potential trade candidates, it's easy to see why the Oilers can be considered sellers once again.
The club remains thin on defense, and though rising youngsters Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse are finally something the Oilers can tip their hats to, they remain far too young to be considered the team's anchors.
Nugent-Hopkins and Schultz should fetch a solid return, and if not, should at least open up cap space heading into free agency.
Meanwhile, the team appears to be in the mix to snag another lottery win.
Calgary Flames
After a surprise appearance in the postseason last spring saw the club reach the second round, the Calgary Flames have experienced huge regression.
Following stints as both the worst and best team in hockey, the Flames have settled to sit three points behind the Oilers for last spot in the division.
While Calgary has at times looked to be a piece away from pushing itself over the top, the club now seems to be in selling mode, and its most valuable asset appears to be defenseman Kris Russell - who's been rumored to be on the market, despite no confirmation from the team.
The team's leading scorer from one year ago, Jiri Hudler, looks to be on the block as well, with his four-year, $16-million contract up at the end of the season. Under the right circumstances, Russell and Hudler should fetch some high-level picks and/or reputable prospects, and would be great rentals for any contender.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks' playoff window has officially closed - for now. While the team's remained fairly competitive over the last five seasons, including a Stanley Cup Final loss in 2011, it's time for the franchise to take a step back.
Heading into the trade deadline this season, the team is likely to play the unusual role of seller. With Bo Horvat, Jake Virtanen, and Jared McCann showing promise, the team needs to further strengthen its prospect pool.
The Canucks are likely to deal defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who's rumored to have drawn interest from many teams looking to upgrade the blue line with a rental.
Forward Radim Vrbata is set to become a free agent at season's end, and after putting up 31 goals last season, the 34-year-old has managed just 11 through 56 games. Vrbata still has a knack for scoring, and could be a valuable second- or third-line addition to a contending team - and even more valuable to Vancouver as a trade chip.
The Sedins are still producing, but for how long? It's time for Vancouver to start preparing for the day fans hope will never come.
Stand Pat
Anaheim Ducks
There don't appear to be any glaring holes in the Ducks' roster at the moment, which could make their trade deadline easy or tough, depending on how you look at their position.
The team remains solid offensively and defensively, though both elements of Anaheim's game got off to brutal starts this season. While the team could bring in upgrades at forward or on defense, an upgrade isn't necessary for success.
The Ducks might consider minor moves for minor pieces, but any deals would appear to be out of want rather than need.
The St. Louis Blues have their two-headed monster back between the pipes.
Goalie Jake Allen was activated off injured reserve Sunday after being out since Jan. 8 with a knee injury, indicating he's healthy and ready to reclaim the starting job he was forced to vacate 17 games ago.
Brian Elliott has stepped up to the task in a big way in Allen's absence, however, posting even better numbers in what now amounts to an even number of games played.
Player
Games Played
Record
Save %
GAA
Shutouts
Jake Allen
33
18-10-3
.924
2.17
5
Brian Elliott
33
17-7-6
.931
2.06
1
Ken Hitchcock, then, can presumably roll out either netminder on any given night with confidence, giving them the ability to rest up and stay fresh for the postseason. Both goalies are signed through to the end of 2016-17 at a combined cap hit of $4.85 million, which is a steal based on the numbers they're putting up.
But here's the thing: While it's a sweet luxury to have two goalies capable of carrying the load, the Blues have holes up front and deficiencies on offense that need to be filled in order to help get them over the hump in the playoffs.
After 61 games, the Blues have scored 150 goals - good for an average of 2.46, which is 22nd among all 30 NHL teams.
St. Louis is led in scoring by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen, but there's a 15-point drop-off down to third-ranked David Backes. Jaden Schwartz's return gives the offense a boost, but T.J. Oshie hasn't been adequately replaced, and Steen could be out with an injury suffered in Saturday's win over Arizona.
As a result, the question facing general manager Doug Armstrong in advance of the Feb. 29 trade deadline is whether to hang on to both Elliott and Allen in order to ensure strength at a key position, or whether to dangle one - most likely the elder Elliott - on the trade market in order to ice a more balanced lineup.
Ryan O'Reilly will miss Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a lower-body injury, and word out of Buffalo is the Sabres center could be out for an extended period of time.
Ryan O'Reilly was limping after game in Columbus and met with trainers there. Could be a foot and several weeks, source says. We'll see soon
