The Toronto Maple Leafs could see several roster changes in the coming weeks as GM Brad Treliving is considering making some trades with a roster crunch coming Toronto’s way.
Four different players in the Leafs roster have been identified as potential tradeable assets by Treliving, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
With the impending returns of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and forward Connor Dewar from injury and their expected addition to the Leafs’ 23-man NHL roster, someone will need to go to open two roster spots.
Among the names listed as “trade candidates” by Pagnotta are defensemen Conor Timmins and Matt Benning, as well as forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Robertson.
Benning joined the Leafs from San Jose in a trade in exchange for Timothy Liljegren but has yet to play a game in Toronto.
“That’s your guys’ job,” Benning said about trade speculation following the rumors about a potential move before making his debut. “I don’t really look into that. Whatever comes, comes.”
The veteran defenseman has played seven games with the Sharks this season but doesn’t have a clear spot in the Maple Leafs lineup.
Timmins, meanwhile, has established himself as a regular in Toronto’s bottom pair on defense but Hakanpaa’s return could see him out of it.
Instead of trading him, however, Toronto might look into sending Timmins to the minors to spend time in the AHL with the franchise’s affiliate.
Up front, both Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok are also drawing interest.
While Robertson is still viewed as a promising forward, he has been involved in trade rumors throughout the summer and into the early season. Jarnkrok, on the other hand, had not been mentioned as a possible trade candidate of late.
The Leafs (7-5-2) sit second in the Atlantic Division with 16 points in 14 games trailing only the reigning champions Florida Panthers (19 points in 13 games).
