Phil Kessel is going to be traded. Just ask the internet.

If you follow social media a little, you already know that Kessel, and virtually every Toronto Maple Leafs player, is rumoured to be heading somewhere else.

The Maple Leafs could be busy this trade deadline. Here's what they've done the past 5 years: http://t.co/2hH7YpIKll pic.twitter.com/ncKMuz7dhz — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 13, 2015

Up soon…Dreger Report refreshing percentages of Leafs players to be traded, plus a chat with Yotes vet Antoine Vermette. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 13, 2015

Trade JVR, Not Kessel: Why It Makes Way More Sense http://t.co/TLOU6HiqfT pic.twitter.com/CW0eco9a7y — The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) February 14, 2015

The Leafs are capable of creating a social media storm, even on a slow news day.

But, with the the trade deadline approaching, the Leafs really are big news.

Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan has allegedly received a mandate for a “scorched earth” rebuild of the Leafs roster.

Toronto is now the epicenter of trade deadline activity. If Maple Leafs fans had their way, GM Dave Nonis would deal away anyone standing in the Air Canada Centre and wearing a Leafs jersey.

But is that really necessary? Aren’t there some Leafs skaters producing and gelling in a way that warrants some patience?

Making use of Mathew Brown’s NHL: Player Chemistry data visualizations, let’s take a look at some of Toronto’s best playmaking duos so far this season.

Leafs’ Best Playmaking Duos – #3

Nazem Kadri with Daniel Winnik or Mike Santorelli

So, I’ll break my own rule on this one.

Though this is a list for duos, Kadri’s been making things happen on the ice with a variety of teammates.

On the ice, Kadri has spent the majority of his even-strength ice time centering a line with Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik as his wingers.

All told, Kadri has combined for five or more points with each of Santorelli, Winnik, James van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel, and Cody Franson.

On pace for only 47 points this season after scoring 50 points last year, Kadri would almost certainly benefit from the opportunity to see more ice time if Tyler Bozak is traded at the deadline.

Still, Kadri’s combination of speed, hands, and playmaking ability with Winnik or Santorelli (and a wide range of other teammates) lands him at #3 on the list of Leafs best playmakers.

*Watch Nazem Kadri feather a soft pass to Cody Franson for a tap-in after a beautiful dangle on Alexei Emelin

Leafs’ Best Playmaking Duos – #2

Cody Franson with Phil Kessel

Cody Franson has drummed up a lot of trade interest this season.

It’s no surprise.

The hulking 27-year-old blueliner has posted 32 points in 54 games this season.

Even more impressively, Franson has been on the ice for a whopping 43% of the Leafs’ 5-on-5 goals this season, easily the best mark on the team.

During this breakout season, Franson has demonstrated great playmaking chemistry with the Leafs’ top-line, especially Phil Kessel. So far, Franson has assisted on six of Kessel’s goals and Kessel has assisted on two of Franson’s goals. With a combined eight goals scored together, Kessel and Franson rank second on the list of Leafs’ best playmaking duos.

*Throwback to 2012…Surprisingly, Kessel forgoes a shot opportunity to set up a “streaking” Franson

Leafs’ Best Playmaking Duos – #1

Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk



Sure, Phil “The Thrill” is mired in a slump. He’s scored only four goals since December 18th. That’s a 25-game span.

Ouch.

James van Riemsdyk hasn’t suffered as much, though his production has been slow. He has eight goals during the same 25-game span.

As the team’s top goal scorers, this lull in production has played a major part in the Leafs’ plummet to the bottom of the NHL standings.

Still, no other Leafs duo rivals the Kessel-JVR pair.

So far this season, Kessel and van Riemsdyk have combined for 19 goals together. JVR has assisted on 10 of Kessel’s goals. Kessel has assisted on nine of van Riemsdyk’s tallies.

And, as the Leafs approach the deadline with Kessel’s name mentioned in trade rumours, Leafs management would be wise to consider how Kessel’s offense could be replaced. Kessel’s 177 goals in 420 games and strong chemistry with van Riemsdyk may prove very difficult to replace.

*Kessel and JVR work a slick give-and-go for a goal against the Colorado Avalanche

Despite the lost season, the Toronto Maple Leafs boast a number of playmaking duos that are key to the team’s offense.

Though Kadri (#3) and JVR (#1) seem safe in Toronto, the departure of any of their counterparts in these playmaking duos (Santorelli, Winnik, Franson, Kessel) would create sizable offensive gaps for the Leafs.

With few offensive prospects playing in the prospect pipeline, this year’s trade deadline may cripple the Leafs’ faltering offense even further.

What do you think, Leafs fans? Should Toronto be worried about losing the offense Phil Kessel or any of the other trade candidates creates? Or, is it time to embrace a full rebuild in Toronto, no matter what?