Why Adam Fox is a potential offseason trade target for the Maple Leafs

As the New York Rangers navigate a rebuild, they already dealt Artemi Panarin to Los Angeles with several other names like Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck also being heavily thrown around in trade speculation.

Another veteran who could be on the move is defenceman Adam Fox, and while it's not likely that he gets dealt in the next week, if the Rangers are going to be looking for new faces, then him and his $9.5-million deal have to be in play.

Though it might not happen now, it very well could happen this summer especially if things are going the way they are -- at least according to Elliotte Friedman.

Friedman noted the situation with Fox is a tough one, and if there is still tension between the two clubs as summer approaches then a deal could be done:

Friedman noted to keep an eye on the situation and it will be interesting to see how the trade deadline shapes up for the Rangers. If they go all out on a sale then it would be more than likely Fox doesn't want to sit through a rebuild.

Though he kind of already forced his way out of town once, as he really wanted to leave Calgary, and was part of a huge trade that sent Dougie Hamilton as well as Fox to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the Noah Hanifin blockbuster.

If the Maple Leafs are going to want to replace Morgan Rielly with Fox, then they may have a hard time considering it was Treliving who had to deal him away from Calgary all those years ago.

It feels like Treliving might target all his old players and see if Toronto can better utilize them. We've heard Hamilton, Andrew Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson, Nazem Kadri and now Fox all part of trade rumours and all have that Calgary-Treliving connection.

But time heals all wounds and this was nearly a decade ago so there may be a chance. If Toronto can go through the deadline and make some solid deals that bring back multiple picks then it would be easier to buy in on Fox this summer.

For his career, Fox has 397 points in 462 games (67 goals, 330 assists) while providing fantastic defense, holding a plus-120 rating and 724 blocks; he's offensive minded first but a huge improvement defensively over Morgan Rielly, is younger, and also a right-handed shot.

With a combination of Rielly moving elsewhere this summer, a smart and proactive deadline, and a little bit of luck, the Maple Leafs could find themselves with their new #1 and someone who has a lot more upside.

But it really comes down to whether or not Fox is even available come this summer, though with the ways things are going in the Big Apple he should probably get out while he can.

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