Maple Leafs Officially Linked To Top Defenseman in Recent Trade Rumors

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Hunter Bowman
December 17, 2023 (5:47 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are eyeing San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, and he could potentially be a valuable addition to the Leafs' roster in the coming years.

Insider David Pagnotta recently connected Mario Ferraro to the Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighting the 25-year-old defenseman's potential impact. Ferraro, who currently leads the San Jose Sharks in time on ice (TOI), comes with a $3.25 million cap hit and has two more years left on his contract beyond this season.

Pagnotta stated,

"The 25-year-old comes with a $3.25 million cap hit and has two more years left on his contract after this season. The Sharks are willing to listen, and they are also one of the few teams willing to take on contracts from cap-strapped clubs (for a price)."

Ferraro, despite being somewhat under the radar, is a key player for the Sharks, averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per game. While his offensive stats may not stand out (1 goal and 4 assists), he is recognized as a defensive defenseman. As a Toronto native, Ferraro is in his fifth NHL season, consistently facing off against opponents' top players every night.

Regarding the potential cost of acquiring Ferraro, the Leafs may need to part with some picks, but they have made it clear that certain top prospects are off-limits. The Sharks, in need of help across various positions, might consider a trade involving a bottom-six forward to make Ferraro's cap hit work. Among the current trade market assets, Ferraro appears to be a cost-effective option with long-term potential for the Leafs.

Source: Hockeypatrol