The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to have signaled the start of their rebuilding process as they have shipped defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2015 first-round pick, left wing prospect Brendan Leipsic and veteran forward Olli Jokinen.
The Maple Leafs have been in a long two-month slump that has seen the Leafs drop completely out of playoff contention, only winning two games in the 2015 calendar year. With rumors of dismay amongst the Leaf's players, coaching staff, and front office it seemed to be only a matter of time before players would be finding a new home.
Franson, an offensive minded defenseman who has 32 points in 55 games was one of the Maple Leaf's assistant captains this season and will be joining a highly touted Predators defense that is headlined by Shea Weber and Seth Jones.
Santorelli will be re-joining the team that drafted him as he was traded to the Florida Panthers prior to the 2011 NHL Draft. From there he would spend time in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Toronto before being traded back to Nashville on Sunday. So far this season, the 29-year forward has 29 points in 57 games.
Both Franson and Santorelli are set to become un-restricted free agents this upcoming offseason.
The deal also signifies the Predators mindset of being a force in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs after missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. The Predators currently lead the Western Conference with 82 points. Predators GM David Poile in a released statement said;
"In preparation for the 2015 playoff run, our goal was to add a veteran defenseman who could play in all situations and a proven forward who could move up and down lineup based on the situation, we were fortunate to do this in the same transaction with players who are in the prime of their careers more than two weeks before the trade deadline in order to give them more time to contribute and jell with their teammates."
One player who is reportedly not happy about the trade is long-time NHL veteran Olli Jokinen who has just six points in 48 games this season. However there are reports that the Maple Leafs may try to flip the 36-year old center to another clup.
Along with Jokinen and a 2015-first round draft pick, the Maple Leafs acquired left wing prospect Brendan Leipsic from the Predators. Leipsic, a former third-round draft pick has spent the season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. In 47 games, the 20-year old left winger has seven goals and 35 assists.