Insider Suggests Maple Leafs May Target Blue Jackets Veteran in Trade

Injuries have plagued the Leafs significantly through 21 games as they enter Saturday night, specifically down the middle where Scott Laughton, Nicolas Roy and Auston Matthews have missed and continue to miss time nursing various injuries.

Despite needing help at center, the Leafs parted ways with David Kampf and called up rookie Jacob Quillan, giving the young forward a look while they continue to peruse the market.

The situation has gotten bad enough that Craig Berube has been forced to rely on Max Domi to take over duties in the middle of the second line. It's far from an ideal situation considering his struggles this year, but the club is out of options.

On Thursday's edition of 'Daily Faceoff Live', The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta was asked about the availability of Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner. Pagnotta suggested that the Leafs and Oilers would be two teams to look at landing the 32-year-old.

The last time the Leafs and Blue Jackets made a deal for a veteran forward with injury issues, they severely overpaid for Nick Foligno. That didn't turn out too well.

A pending UFA, Jenner is currently on the injured reserve, but has 10 points in 16 games for the Blue Jackets this season. With a reasonable, $3.75M cap hit, the Leafs would certainly be able to afford it.

The question is cost. Considering the Leafs don't want to deal futures, it may be hard to interest the Blue Jackets to take on one of their contracts in exchange -- though it bears mentioning that Max Domi has a $3.75M cap hit and has played in Columbus before. Food for thought.