Two Former Maple Leafs Emerge As Potential Fits Ahead Of Trade Deadline, Per NHL Analyst

It's not a mystery that Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs want to add some defensive depth to their roster in anticipation for a long playoff run, and to shore up any problems in case of injuries or struggles.

But NHL analyst Jonas Siegel believes believes that the team could pursue a couple of former Maple Leafs to help out Morgan Rielly and make sure their team is best set up for a deep postseason push.

Seeing Schenn return for the third time in his career would be a sign that perhaps Toronto should never have let him go in the first place. Acquired in 2022-23, he was solid for the Leafs down the stretch and helped Morgan Rielly a bunch in being the shutdown defender they need for him.

Originally drafted by the Leafs in 2008 (5th overall), he's bounced around the league and played for eight teams in his career. He left Toronto and went to Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Arizona, Anaheim, Vancouver, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Toronto (again) and finally Nashville.

Known for being a defensive beast, Schenn brings a lot of grit and a ton of hits and blocked shots for the Leafs. He averages 278 hits per 82 games for his career, as well as 124 blocked shots; not to mention his intimidation factor come playoff time.

A cheap option at $2.75M, Schenn would bring the stability needed for a team that is constantly shifting its defense to figure it out. If they can solidify Schenn with Morgan Rielly, and keep Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev together; putting Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Simon Benoit could be a scrappy third pairing.

Ceci, who was acquired by the Sharks from Edmonton this season would be able to provide the shutdown defense Toronto needs albeit at a reduced cost in terms of consistency. Struggling this season with the Oilers, he's been a great shot blocker but has also given up the puck a lot more often than he should.

Ceci played with Toronto in 2019 and though it was not the most successful year, he did form a decently solid partnership with Rielly. Part of a stout Edmonton defense in past seasons, his place on the Sharks is waning mainly due to his age.

Ceci is more expensive than Schenn at $3.25M and Toronto would have a harder time bringing him back, both financially and deciding whether he's the best fit for Rielly's shutdown partner.

Either way you slice it, the Maple Leafs need to make a trade soon, especially if Jani Hakanpaa is going to be unavailable for the rest of the season.

Luke Schenn and Cody Ceci are both great options, and Brad Treliving has to gauge whether or not either man is worth the cost. But with some handiwork and a bit of appeasement, it's possible to see either man; or both, come back to the blue and white.