Toronto Maple Leafs shopping top 4 defenceman

Since Brad Treliving took over the job of General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he's stressed an importance on team identity and defence. After speculation for the last few weeks, insider David Pagnotta is confirming the Leafs are shopping defenceman TJ Brodie in a trade, looking to improve their defence.

Moving on from Brodie to a better option would obviously be beneficial to the Leafs, but will be hard to manipulate the team to be under the salary cap. TJ Brodie is now 33 years old, heading into the final year of a contract that pays him $5M each year, and despite being an effective player for the Leafs, he hasn't over-performed expectations or given the team a tangible edge most nights.

Treliving has experience with Brodie from their days in Calgary, which ended with Treliving opting to let Brodie walk in free agency - an indication of the assessment Treliving has on Brodie. Since the GM change, the Leafs have been linked to some Calgary defenceman who could be available for trade, including Noah Hanifin and Nikita Zadorov.


If the Leafs are to move on from Brodie, they'll likely be doing so too soon after upgrade on the position with a separate trade. Acquiring a big, physical defenceman is a current need for the Leafs, and 33 year old Brodie can not provide such a look. Brodie will be missed for his uncanny ability to break up 2-on-1 rushes, but ultimately, rarely became an impact player for the team.