Maple Leafs linked to Roman Josi amid John Chayka's push for a defenseman

Multiple sources have claimed that Roman Josi could be on his way to the Maple Leafs and it makes sense given John Chayka's plans for another trade.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs desiring a shakeup on the blue line, they are going to be looking at making another blockbuster deal this season. They have been linked to names such as Simon Edvinsson and Erik Karlsson, but so far nothing has materialized as of yet.

They need to get an elite offensive presence who isn't a defensive liability, and while those are few and far between the team does have some options available. One of them comes from out West, and specifically all the way out in Tennessee - Roman Josi.

Roman Josi could be on the move as Nashville looks towards a rebuild

Josi's name has been floated about as a veteran who could be traded as GM Chris McFarland tries to make changes in the Predators and shift them towards a new direction.

With a tougher chance at competing, the team would like to give Josi a shot to win while also getting younger and rebuilding piece by piece.

According to sources too, there is a real possibility it happens.

Jeff Marek joined Daily Faceoff Toronto and explained that Josi could be a viable target for the Maple Leafs, especially if Nashville continues down the path they're on:

If you're John Chayka you want to redo the blue line, and we've heard a lot about Nashville and how they've taken this roster as far as it can go.

You don't know deep of a rebuild this is going to be but if you're Roman Josi, do you really want to hang around longer for this, or rather get into a position where you can maximize your potential.

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Spittin' Chiclets co-host Paul Bissonnette also believes he could be headed to Toronto, with the show also bringing up the connection between Auston Matthews and Josi given they share the same agent:

I think there's a real possibility he goes there. They are going to continue to make moves.

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The issue here is two-fold however, and the Maple Leafs have to ensure that what they are getting is the best that Josi can offer.

Josi's price is going to be expensive now and later

The cost of bringing in Josi is going to cost Toronto both assets and contract flexibility so they best be sure that Josi is the right call.

He's going to be 37, he makes $9M until 2028, and while that's not a lot - does also become an issue of tagging allotment yet again. The Predators can take on retention but that only raises the price.

Speaking of, going the other way is likely Ben Danford and one of Alex Bilecki or Ethan McKenzie. Danford is Toronto's top defensive prospect who can offer a young shutdown player, meanwhile Bilecki and McKenzie help replace some of the offense lost with Josi's departure.

Add into that Colorado's 2027 first-round pick, and Chris McFarland has a trade that gives him way more flexibility and a lot of assets - while the Maple Leafs get even deadlier.

The price is not an easy one to swallow, but when you're acquiring a player with nearly 800 points and over 1,000 NHL games and an elite force who can transform your lineup, you have to believe John Chayka is going to repeat himself:

You need to trade quality to get quality.

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