The trade market appears to be lacking in excitement, and as I stated in my tirade on Saturday, sellers must step up and deal some players who would actually improve a team and consequently receive a better return.
Therefore, I have looked at what an expanded sellers’ market looks like and have included some bubble teams in the seller list.
I have also looked more closely at their rosters and have selected players who aren’t core members of the team, still have term remaining, and meet some of the requirements that the Leafs should be aiming for—basically, a right shot defenceman who plays more than fifteen minutes a night.
I’ll confess that, as a Manitoban, I have a soft spot for the Brandon Wheat Kings, which has led to a long-standing prejudice against the Maple Leafs’ acquisition of Ryan Pulock.
The 29-year-old’s six-year committment beyond this season is still more of an incentive than a burden, since he fits in age-wise with the Maple Leafs core.
He can play for 22 minutes a night, is positionally responsible, hits, and blocks shots. Because of his defense-first mentality, which counterbalances Morgan Rielly’s riverboat gambler style, he has the potential to be Rielly’s long-term partner.
Pulock’s $6.15 million AAV is a little excessive right now, and it will be difficult to attract a respectable top player for next season.
Regarding the Islanders, Scott Mayfield remains a viable possibility to follow Noah Dobson, who is expected to be the team’s top pairing right side going forward.
Parting with one or more of their more significant contracts makes sense if the Islanders are planning to completely restructure the team, as they will have even less cap room going into the upcoming season than the Leafs.
Should Pulock not be a viable choice for Toronto, they should contemplate Scott Mayfield.
For a 31-year-old defenseman, his term is a little too long, but the $3.5 million cap charge is more manageable in the near term and can be tolerated or moved if the salary cap rises further, making him a less dangerous but less skilled defensive defenseman.
