The Toronto Maple Leaf are right in the thick of the hunt for a playoff spot after bouncing back from a terrible first half of the season. But, that doesn't mean that they are going to keep the roster the same as the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 6. According to one of the latest trade boards from The Athletic's Chris Johnston, a defenseman that we never really expected to be dealt, could be moved before the deadline.
When the New York Rangers traded Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche at last year's trade deadline, most analytically-minded fans like myself felt more relief than anything else. The Rangers organization is best known for handing long-term contracts to aging, declining defensemen. Think back to the contracts of Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, two players who went from beloved Rangers to despised for their on-ice play by Rangers fans.
Henry Thrun falls under the category of newly acquired players, and also will be fighting for a spot on a blueline that already has many bodies. The Leafs traded for the 24 year-old defender in exchange for forward Ryan Reaves. Thrun is in the final year of his contract, and will be expiring as a restricted free agent at the end of the year.