John Chayka officially sets his sights on a new Maple Leafs trade target

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka continues to try to improve his roster, which has led to a new trade target that is going to turn some heads.

Through three games this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a record of 1-2-0 and have struggled to score goals. They have scored just two goals in each of these games, and despite the addition of Kirill Marchenko, the offense has appeared to be underwhelming.

Meanwhile, their defense is also under fire. Darren Raddysh and Morgan Rielly aren't the dynamic duo fans thought they would be. Meanwhile, Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev can only take you so far. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Troy Stecher are fine, but the youth movement is lacking on the back end.

Well, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Leafs general manager John Chayka wants to change that. His next trade target is a second pair defenseman whose specialty is shutdown defense.

They're fishing around for a second pair defenseman; more defensively focused than anything

-

This is going to be head-turning news for Leafs Nation. There are lots of holes on this team, including second line center, and a lack of offense from the blue line.

However, Chayka's desire to add another defensive defenseman in the top four is going to attract just a tad bit of surprise. One would assume there are other priorities right now.

Who could the Toronto Maple Leafs acquire?

Names like Zach Whitecloud and Connor Murphy immediately come to mind. Scott Mayfield is also a player who could come in and fit that role for the Leafs.

However, the biggest issue here is that the Toronto Maple Leafs already had that kind of player in Brandon Carlo. In the end, the Leafs traded him during the draft to the St. Louis Blues for third-round picks.

This completely changed the look of the blue line, and while it did help the franchise with its salary cap situation, leading to the acquisition of Raddysh, you can't help but feel like the Leafs did this to themselves.

Chayka is going to have an uphill battle getting the defenseman he truly desires. Something drastic would need to change in terms of the market for the Leafs to be able to capitalize.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs given something to think about as 25-year-old center hits waivers