Maple Leafs in Perfect Position to Strike Trade With Injury-Riddled Team

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking into deals as waivers loom with their depth forwards that are on the outside, with the team's roster seemingly decided and the team trying to avoid losing players for free on waivers.

Toronto has three players projected from their forward group that are believed to not be among the Leafs 12 rostered forwards, Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, & Nick Robertson, with it having been reported that Toronto is eyeing their choices on the trade market ahead of the waivers deadline before the season starts.

Almost certain that at least two of the outside group are likely going to be cut, and this will put the Leafs in a mad scramble for help, and one team may be the perfect situation for Toronto to get their work done on the roster front.

Along with Calle Jarnkrok, the Leafs could solve their defensive depth in a deal that sends Jarnkrok and a defenseman out and gives them some waivers relief.

It was pointed out that the Seattle Kraken are dealing with multiple injury issues that are challenging their opening night roster, and could open up Seattle to be a team that could work out Toronto's need to offload some of their roster depth.

The Kraken have holes at both forward and defense, and a deal involving Jarnkrok & defenseman Matt Benning could be a move that the Leafs made for two of Toronto's top depth options.

The Leafs are under no major hesitation to offload their depth, but if they feel that their players are at risk of being claimed, they may rather pull the trigger and make a trade instead, and try to recoup some additional AHL depth later on.

The Seattle Kraken could be a two-in-one option that helps the Toronto Maple Leafs offload some depth that they need to avoid losing for free, but they'd have to get a deal done that suits Toronto's needs as well.

The Leafs are seemingly not looking to add, at least for now, and are more focused on solving their roster situations rather than adding a top option, although it's a matter that hasn't ended for GM Brad Treliving.

One challenge that does exist in this situation for Toronto is that Calle Jarnkrok, while a player who is currently on the Leafs unofficial «fifth line», involving Robertson & Kampf, it would appear that Jarnkrok is a player that the Leafs would prefer to keep as a healthy scratch option if possible.

It's believed that if he doesn't make the team that Nick Robertson could look to seek a trade rather than return to the AHL, and Seattle could use him in a bigger opportunity.

Jarnkrok is able to slide to the wing if Toronto decides to send down Easton Cowan to the Marlies, currently projected to be on the Leafs fourth line.

The Kraken have strong prospect depth at both forward and defense, and could create the opportunity for the Leafs to recoup their trade by acquiring a depth forwards and defenseman of their own, and a younger one at that.

The trade potential for the Toronto Maple Leafs could hinge on desperation for teams dealing with injury to help out their roster and deal with holes, getting a trade done before it becomes too late.