The NHL Trade Deadline is just days away and for the Toronto Maple Leafs they have some big decisions to make. They currently sit nine points out of the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and have lost three straight since the Olympic break.
It is evident that they are going to be selling as we inch towards the deadline. The two questions left that need answering are who they are selling and who they will take back in these trades. So, let’s look at three players that would be considered reclamation projects that Toronto could acquire and give a second or third chance to.
Lukas Reichel – Vancouver Canucks
The first one may not be a household name himself, but the last name would be for Maple Leafs fans who watched in the early 2000s. Lukas is the nephew of former NHLer Robert Reichel and could be a very underrated pickup for the Maple Leafs. He had good upside when he was drafted but unfortunately, his time with the Chicago Blackhawks did not pan out and he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He now is in the AHL playing with the Abbotsford Canucks and could use another chance at the NHL.
The Maple Leafs would be wise to acquire him for an extra body after they part with some of their unrestricted free agents (UFA). He would be very low cost, but could have high upside if they play him in a role that is better suited for his game. His career-high in points is just 22 back in 2023-24 with the Blackhawks. However, if he were to play on a third line with the Maple Leafs alongside a combination of Nicholas Robertson, Easton Cowan or even John Tavares as a good veteran leader on his line, they could see some positive results.
Alexey Toropchenko – St. Louis Blues
Finally, a player that I’ve been pushing for the Maple Leafs to acquire for some time. Alexey Toropchenko would be a very good pickup for the Maple Leafs and since his play has fallen off this season with the St. Louis Blues struggling, it would be a good time for them to consider acquiring him at a lower cost. He would fit in well within the bottom six, especially if Craig Berube remains the head coach of the Maple Leafs after this season. They were both a part of the Blues’ Stanley Cup run in 2019.
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Toropchenko has more offensive upside than he has shown this season. Unfortunately, he has been a bit snake bitten and only has three goals and four assists for seven points in 44 games. However, in past seasons, he has been in and around the 20-point mark with his career high being 21 points back in 2023-24. With the Blues preparing to sell off to rebuild, now is the perfect time for them to look at the Blues as a potential trade partner.
The next few days are going to be busy around the NHL, especially for the Maple Leafs, who are entering a deadline where they are not buying for the first time in nine seasons. It is a shock to the organization and the fan base. However, with the right approach, they can retool and get back to playing playoff hockey next season.
