5 Players The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade Right Now

By Darrell Samuels

5 Players the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade Right Now

Lou Lamoriello, Toronto Maple Leafs — This summer, all hockey eyes were focused on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The struggling franchise went out to bring in Lou Lamoriello to be the new General Manager and Mike Babcock to stand behind the bench and change the culture behind the hockey club. Wins are at a premium, but small aspects of the Maple Leafs' game have improved and the following five names should be dealt prior to the February 29 NHL trade deadline.

5. Forward James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs

5. Forward James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs — He certainly is a gifted forward but for the sake of the rebuild he needs to go.

4. Forward Joffrey Lupul

Joffrey Lupul, Toronto Maple Leafs

4. Forward Joffrey Lupul

Joffrey Lupul, Toronto Maple Leafs — The often injured forward has been in Toronto since February, 2011. He has been healthy during the first month of the season, but he needs to be dealt before his value diminishes due to injury.

3. Defenseman Dion Phaneuf

Phaneuf 2

3. Defenseman Dion Phaneuf

Phaneuf 2 — It is painfully obvious to the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs that the rebuild can only proceed in full progression when the captain is dealt. He has been in Toronto since the January 31, 2010 trade from the Calgary Flames. Phaneuf has had a good season thus far, but needs to go elsewhere.

2. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier

Bernier 2

2. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier

Bernier 2 — The biggest issue on this roster is the goaltending. Over the course of three seasons in Toronto, he has been battling struggles being able to handle the pressure of the starved Stanley Cup franchise at the Air Canada Centre. Fans are growing frustrated with Bernier's inconsistency between the pipes and his career needs to grow somewhere else.

1. Goaltender James Reimer

James Reimer

1. Goaltender James Reimer

James Reimer — New Years Day, 2011 was the start of his goaltending career against the Ottawa Senators and he slowly proved to be a qualified netminder. However, a painful memory for the fans of the Maple Leafs as well as Reimer is the 2013 playoffs against the Boston Bruins in Game 7. He has never been the same since facing ridicule from many disgruntled fans, and needs to be saved from the criticizing fanbase.

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Toronto Maple Leafs

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