The NHL trade deadline falls 40 days before the final day of the regular season and is the last day of the season in which NHL teams can make trades of any sort – players or draft picks. This year’s deadline falls on Monday, February 24.

For the full NHL trade deadline breakdown check out “NHL Trade Deadline: Forwards, Defensemen, and Goalies Expected to Move“.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

There is no questioning Toronto’s offense. For much of this season, the Maple Leafs have led the league in goals scored. Unfortunately, they have also led much of the season for most goals allowed.

Heading into the new year, it was no secret that Toronto was lacking on the defensive end. Add to that, now, the fact that top defenseman Morgan Rielly is out with injury and starting goaltender Frederik Andersen has been, once again, overworked, and has been listed as day-to-day over the past week, and the Leafs are now on the bubble. They rank third in the Atlantic division with just 66 points and are barely hanging on to a playoff position at this point.

The Leafs don’t have a ton of salary cap space, but they have enough for what they need.

There are a select few players that could fill the spaces that Toronto needs help in.

A plethora of top-six defenseman seem ready to move at the deadline and some could adapt easily into the Leafs game. The front runner is Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez.

Martinez is a former teammate of Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin and has been having a respectable year despite suffering on the LA blue line this season. He’s still young, blocks shots, and can easily handle 20-plus minutes per game.

Another defensive option is Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild. Dumba is an offensive defenseman which would make him a great asset to the team’s power play. He has 71 blocked shots and 75 hits. He does come with a greater price tag than Martinez, however.

As for goaltending, the Leafs need a reliable backup. Frederik Andersen has played 60 games or more for each of his seasons with Toronto. He needs rest.

Michael Hutchinson has not proven to be a reliable back up – he didn’t win his first game of the season until late December. The number one goalie linked to Toronto is the Rangers’ Alexander Georgiev. A large part is because the Rangers have seemingly expressed interest in some of Toronto’s players as well.

Georgiev is still young and could not only help Toronto this season but in future seasons. Should they secure Georgiev, an immediate contract extension is not that unlikely.

But, should the Leafs miss out on a deal or choose to go another way, there is another solid option. Although he would likely walk as a free agent at season’s end, the Leafs could benefit from Ottawa’s Craig Anderson should they make a deep run. Anderson has plenty of playoff experience that could give the Maple Leafs more confidence heading into the postseason. Jason Spezza is now a Maple Leaf, why not Anderson?

2. Colorado Avalanche

Colorado is in a one of a kind position. Although they are in search of nothing specific, as their offense, defense, and goaltending have been relatively superb all season, they have the option to add even more depth and injury insurance simply because they have the money to do so.

The Colorado Avalanche head into the trade deadline with more salary-cap space than any other team in the league. There are some weaknesses in their game that can be addressed, but just the thought of adding even more horsepower to such a talented, young roster is a scary thought to any other team in the NHL.

As mentioned, Colorado’s needs are not specific. They have had injury woes throughout the season, so they will most likely want to add players that can step up should someone need to miss significant time.

One of the most interesting players expected to be available is Ottawa’s, Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pageau would fill in nicely as a second-line center who could move up to the top line if needed.

He is having a career year for goals and is a penalty killing machine, which is big as Colorado has struggled on special teams this season. Not only can Pageau score on the power play, but he has 13 career shorthanded goals as well.