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NHL Insider Suggests 7 Affordable Maple Leafs Trade Targets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 9, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs' pursuit of a middle-six center ahead of the NHL trade deadline continues to gain traction, with NHL analyst Darren Dreger suggesting seven possible targets to address the team’s needs.

Dreger's suggestions follow reports by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and TSN's Chris Johnston, who earlier confirmed Toronto’s focus on bolstering its center depth.

Appearing on TSN’s "Insider Trading" on Wednesday, Dreger identified Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, Ryan O’Reilly, Scott Laughton, Mikael Granlund, Yanni Gourde, and Nick Bjugstad as players the Maple Leafs could consider.

Dreger shared those names after stating that the Maple Leafs are "not in that category," referring to a potential trade for a bonafide superstar center in Canucks' Elias Pettersson.

"I think the group that the Toronto Maple Leafs identified is a little bit more diverse,” Dreger said.

Nelson, the New York Islanders' physical and versatile forward, leads the list and has found his name in the rumor mill for weeks on end as the Islanders wait to make a final decision on his future.

The Islanders veteran should be effective on both offensive and defensive duties, which fits the middle-six role expected to be bolstered by Toronto. He has scored 21 points in 40 games.

However, Nelson's $6 million cap hit this season while playing in a contract year could demand a significant return, possibly involving Toronto’s 2026 first-round pick.

Strome, currently with the Anaheim Ducks, has seven goals and 16 points in 40 games this season. O’Reilly, meanwhile, represents a potential reunion for the Leafs. Now with the Nashville Predators, he has 12 goals and 13 assists in 38 games.

Laughton, a Toronto native, is a cost-effective choice with nine goals and 13 assists in 41 games for the Philadelphia Flyers. Granlund, who has 11 goals and 24 assists this season for the Sharks in 41 games.

Gourde, of the Seattle Kraken, has just six goals and 10 assists in 35 for the Kraken while Bjugstad rounds out the list having scored four goals and 10 points for the Utah Hockey Club in 32 games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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