Maple Leafs expected to entertain trades for these 3 players

The Toronto Maple Leafs have to wait to put any plans into action.

The Olympics roster freeze is underway, meaning trades that are being discussed have to get put on the backburner for a few weeks.

But soon enough, teams will return from the Olympics, and it'll be less than two weeks from the NHL trade deadline.

So you can bet teams are getting things in order to hit the ground running when deals can be made again. 

The Leafs still sort of have to decide whether they're buying or selling, but it probably at least makes sense to send away guys who will be free agents after the season.

"There’s no doubt the Leafs will be taking calls on pending UFAs Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, and Calle Jarnkrok," writes Sportsnet's Jason Bukala. "Each one of these players have varying degrees of value and Toronto requires more draft capital." 

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McMann is by far the most valuable thanks to his skill and his contract.

"Teams will have the most interest in McMann," Bukala writes. "He’s affordable and on pace for over 20 goals, which would be a career-high. He plays with good pace, which is an attractive element for teams that like to track up and down the ice with speed, such as Edmonton or Colorado, for example."

Laughton and Jarnkrok are much less exciting but still may be moveable. 

Bukala did also take the time in his article to discuss the idea of keeping McMann around in the long run even if they move him first.

"Unless McMann signs an extension with his new team, if I were the Leafs I'd entertain re-signing him in the summer at the right price," Bukala suggests. "But at this stage it's more important for me to acquire some draft capital and he might land the team a first-round pick. I'll address free agency later this year when it rolls around, but I'm not letting it influence how I handle a McMann trade at the deadline."

Everyone will have to wait to see what happens with McMann, but it sure seems like he could be on the move after the Olympics.

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