Maple Leafs Cheap Trade Fixes: 3 Targets to Replace Chris Tanev

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After a 5-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth, the Toronto Maple Leafs left their road trip with three points. Head coach Jim Hiller wasn’t happy. “We could’ve got 5 points. So when you say, ‘Are we good with 3?’ No, not really.” They allowed 12 goals in three games, and 19 in their last five.

With Chris Tanev on injured reserve and no timeline for his return, the defense will remain stretched. If he’s out long-term, it’s a significant issue. Even if he isn’t this time, there’s real concern he’s too fragile to be reliable. Toronto isn’t in a position to pay a high price for a replacement, but the market for modest, short-term help might be the best place to look.

Related: “Dramatically Alarming”: Chris Tanev Injury May Force Maple Leafs Into Trade

Here are three names to consider, based on reporting from The Athletic.

Ian Cole, Chicago Blackhawks

This is the cleanest fit. Ian Cole is a veteran shutdown defender on an expiring contract, so Toronto wouldn’t be tied to him beyond this season, and he plays the kind of tough, shot-blocking game Tanev does.

Siegel believes the cost should be modest, and that matters because Toronto doesn’t have many big assets left.

Zach Whitecloud, Calgary Flames

Zach Whitecloud is a right-shooter with a $2.75 million cap hit through next season. That makes him more than a rental, which is both the appeal and the risk. If Calgary keeps struggling, he becomes an obvious name, though it would likely cost more than Cole.

NHL insider David Pagnotta says the Maple Leafs have held “exploratory” talks. “The previous regime had a lot of interest in Zach Whitecloud; I believe there’ve been at least exploratory inquiries; I believe they’re one of the teams that would look at him.”

Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers (the long shot)

Given the start to the season for the Philadelphia Flyers, it’s hard to know what direction that team is going to turn. Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading that GM Daniel Briere is hearing his phone is getting all kinds of love from other GMs around the league.

Rasmus Ristolainen is injured and on an expiring deal, so he only becomes available if Philadelphia’s season goes badly. Even then, it’s fair to question whether he’s worth it.

Do the Maple Leafs Have to Make a Move?

Toronto can’t count on Tanev staying healthy, and it can’t afford to wait. This isn’t just a trade out of short-term necessity, even if it turns out that Tanev is out for some time. The Maple Leafs need to find a fix for this season and consider what happens beyond that.

Tanev is in year three of a six-year deal. Toronto has to know he’s never going to finish that contract.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Flames & Canadiens