Quick Update

Yesterday (5/11/2014), Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper on twitter) reported that both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators were in the midst of shopping both Dion Phaneuf and Jason Spezza to Western Conference teams. In addition to the tweet Kypreos sent out, he explained on hockey central @noon that the San Jose Sharks could be interested in one of them.

A quick glance at his point totals indicate that his offensive numbers have remained steady in recent years, going from a 44 point year in 11-12 season, 28 points in 12-13 (the lockout shortened season) and 31 points in this past year (13-14). After the back slide Toronto took in the standings post olympic break, the new management is clearly looking to shake up the core of their group via trade.

Enter the San Jose Sharks, clearly needing a roster shake up of their own, we could see a potential match develope here. Depending on the return, could we see Phaneuf in a teal sweater next year? I highly suspect that the Toronto management will be talking to the Sharks about a trade revolving around one player... Joe Pavelski. The reason for this interest in one player stems from the Winter Olympics of 2014, while there Pavelski centered a line that included two Maple leafs players (James van RIemsdyk and Phil Kessel) which arguably was the best line Team USA Hockey employed in the tournament. Just the thought of reuniting this line might make the Maple Leaf Management offer the moon in exchange.

Here is my thought on a possible trade scenario, with the possibility of draft pick swaps as well.

To the San Jose Sharks:
Dion Phaneuf
Jake Gardiner
Nazem Kadri

To the Leafs:
Joe Pavelski
Martin Havlat and/or Tyler Kennedy

Why would this trade be good? Well first off the Maple Leafs get there first line center they have so desperately sought after, they trade Dion Phaneuf who has potential leadership questions and Nazem Kadri who has been the target of much criticism in Toronto. From the Sharks perspective, you have traded for a stabilizing D-Man with great potential in Phaneuf, traded for a future two-way top 3 d-man in Jake Gardiner and replaced Pavelski with a center of the same mold who is younger.

Only time will tell what's on the radar for a potential trade, but where there is smoke surely there is fire.