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Maple Leafs Still Working On a At Least 4 Possible Trades [Report]

The Toronto Maple Leafs are apparently not close to being done making moves. There are at least four more players on the team being shopped.

According to The Athletic’s James Mirtle, the Toronto Maple Leafs are not done making moves. In fact, his exact words were, “The Leafs earned a nice win in trading Kasperi Kapanen. But they’re not done. Not even close.”

Mirtle wrote a column on Wednesday breaking down the trade that sent Kasperi Kapanen to the Pittsburgh Penguins and the importance of that trade for the Leafs because it included a first-round draft pick coming back in return. He explained:

Overall, this deal was a clear victory for GM Kyle Dubas. He opened cap space for help on the blue line, but he also acquired a 15th overall pick and a promising prospect in Swedish centre Filip Hallander, who the Penguins drafted in the second round in 2018.

Mirtle also adds that the Maple Leafs are looking for more wins on the trade front and noted, fans should expect GM Kyle Dubas stay busy. He writes, “According to multiple NHL teams, no fewer than four intriguing Leafs are being dangled to varying degrees.”

So Who Is Dubas Looking to Move?

Outside of the fact that Dubas already said the Maple Leafs are open to moving the first-round pick they acquired in the Kapanen trade, Mirtle lists Frederik Andersen, Alexander Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall, and Andreas Johnsson as pieces that could still be moved.

Why Frederik Andersen?

As far as Andersen is concerned, the Leafs starting goaltender can apparently be had for a “useful” but low-cost asset. Speculation is that the team would be moving him to clear cap space knowing that they have Jack Campbell as a netminder they can go to and there will be inexpensive options on the open market this offseasaon.

Mirtle points out that Andersen could be attractive to teams without much money to spend. Any team that acquires him will only be required to spend $1 million in actual salary since his large signing bonus has already been paid out by the Leafs. So too, there are teams who believe he can be a useful starter.

Related: Maple Leafs Might Flip First-Round Pick From Kapanen Trade

Why Alex Kerfoot?

It’s not a given that the Leafs deal Kerfoot. Understanding the team could move him to the wing, they would like him to play 3rd line center. He’s a $3.5 million player and there are concerns he can fill that role.

At the same time, over the next three seasons, he’s only owed $8 million in actual salary so a team looking to save money might find him an attractive option.

Why Pierre Engval?

At a $1.25 million cap hit, he might not fit on the Maple Leafs fourth line where the team is looking to add more size and grit at a lower price point.

Why Andreas Johnsson?

Johnsson becomes a situation where the Leafs will only deal him if they are forced to “push this button in case of emergency.” His injury history, his higher cap hit and his trade value being lower on the market than Kapanen’s was, the Leafs will lose any trade that includes him. The only reason Dubas trades Johnsson is if they are absolutely stuck for salary cap flexibility.

Ideally, they are hoping he rebounds and can stay healthy next season.

Who is Not Going?

For now, it looks like all the big names are safe. William Nylander is a name a number of outlets are watching closely but it doesn’t appear the Leafs are looking to move him.

via sportingnews

Mirtle writes:

So while the Leafs makeover may not touch the main core this offseason, it won’t play favourites with anyone outside of that group. Dubas is open for business here and not feeling particularly sentimental. He also now has $3.5 million in cap space to offer any of the teams feeling squeezed by the NHL’s pandemic-induced flat cap.

And if they are, it should be interesting to see what he fetches. The Kapanen effectively just set the market for what certain forwards are worth. Nylander is hands down the better player so the return needs to be a reflection of that.

Next: Multiple Failed Trades Led to Kapanen Deal With Penguins [Report]

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