Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets to announce trade at any moment

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are at the opposite ends of the standings and with that they both are easy matches as trade partners.

Blue Jackets boss monitors Maple Leaf prospects in the AHL

With the trade deadline looming the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs are likely talking as Columbus President and Interim General Manager John Davidson is attending Toronto Marlies games, likely to value the players in the AHL. The Blue Jackets have a plethora of young assets at forward and on defence, so the Blue Jackets would be hoping for an impactful player.

Who the Blue Jackets could be looking at from the Marlies

Reports have the Blue Jackets looking at three main members of the Marlies: Ryan Tverberg, Alex Steeves, and right-hand defenseman Topi Niemela. The Leafs claim that top prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan are not up for trade, and to obtain the teams 2024 first round selection they would like a player with term above a rental.

Ryan Tverberg is in his first full season at 22-years-old. He is having a breakout season with theToronto Marlies. The 2020 7th round pick has eight goals, 20 assists in 35 games.

Alex Steeves has been with the Toronto Marlies for three years and at 24 he is on the older side. The Maple Leafs' top prospect on defence is arguably Topi Niemela. He is finally in his first full season with the Toronto Marlies and has 28 points in 48 games.

As Read On Maple Leafs Daily - Leafs and Blue Jackets on the cusp of swinging a trade?