Rumor: Maple Leafs looking to upgrade from T.J. Brodie

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Austin Kelly
July 17, 2023 (8:18)

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With seemingly almost everyone on the Toronto Maple Leafs rumored in trades, T.J. Brodie's turn has come in the rumor mill.

Brodie rumored with potential exit from Toronto

With the Leafs expected to know the conclusion of Ilya Samsonov's contract following his arbitration hearing this Friday, Toronto will hope to have a better understanding of their financial situation.

The Leafs have been rumored to different adds in their Defensive core, and already a few names have been put in speculation.

The Current Brodie Rumors

According to NHL Reporter David Pagnotta, the Leafs are very much willing to engage in talks with teams for T.J. Brodie, allowing for the Leafs to move on and acquire another option for their blueline.

According to an interview with Nick Alberga on 'Leafs Morning Take', Pagnotta mentioned that two names of potential interest for Toronto are Flames defensemen Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev.

Hanifin would provide a significant two-way boost to the Leafs lineup, but his $4.95M cap hit until 2024 may be an uncertainty for Toronto, albeit, a short one. Tanev makes slightly less at $4.5M, but is older at 32 vs Hanifin, who is 25, and doesn't provide the offense of Hanifin, but may be a more likely candidate for retention. Zadorov is the cheapest option at $3.75M, and would add a major defensive presence for the Leafs.

It's unclear if Brodie would be moved to Calgary in a potential deal or separately. Brodie played 10 seasons with the Flames before signing with Toronto, having been a 2008 Calgary Draft Pick.

Brodie, 33, had 2 Goals and 14 Points in 58 Games for Toronto this season. Brodie has a $5M cap hit for 2023-24, but has a $7.5M salary, which will make a deal difficult without retention on Toronto's end, which will make a cheaper option like Zadorov likely the most appealing.

Although Toronto hasn't yet made any major indications a deal is imminent, it's clear that the team is ready to work to solve their cap struggles, and for former Flames and now-Leafs GM Brad Treliving, he appears to be snooping around his old stomping grounds for an idea on how to do so.