The good new for the fans is the front office has done a good job in adding young talent through the draft this summer, and the trade of Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh has helped with the salary cap problems that has plagued this franchise for the last few years — but for this organization to get back on top of the hockey world, several more moves will need to take place.
News from Bleacher Report has suggested the front office is still trying to make a couple trades before the start of training camp and the biggest name on the block is Dion Phaneuf.
The 30-year-old defender is scheduled to make $7 million per year for the next six years and for a franchise looking to lose some cap space and add young talent, moving the veteran now could help both situations.
Reports last month had the team in talks with the LA Kings, but it appears Toronto would need to take on some of the salary if a deal was made and that could have been the holdup in a trade taking place. The Kings are looking to win now and adding a veteran defender with good offensive skills could help them in their bid to win a Stanley Cup.
Two other players have been linked in possible trades this off season. Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul could both be playing hockey somewhere different in the near future and despite not having the NHL career either imagined, a change of scenery now could help resurrect their careers and help the Toronto Maple Leafs rid themselves of contracts they don’t want and possibly add some young talent they could use as they rebuild around their new head coach.
