What is known right now is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are most likely not going to enjoy a spot in the postseason, sitting in dead last in the Eastern Conference. The team will be sellers at the trade deadline, but there is speculation as to who general manager Lou Lamoriello is willing to let go.
Roman Polak has been thinking about the Feb. 29 deadline since the summer.
"It's 50-50," said Polak today regarding his future with the club, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. "I'm not worried about it right now, but I'm always ready for [the possibility]. Even before the season started, I knew it might happen. If it does, it does. If not, then not. It's part of the business."
The 29-year-old's contract is expiring at the end of the season, so he would be useful for a team heading to the playoffs, but is he solid enough to contend with the defense saturated market? It would be "a surprise if Polak is not dealt in the next 11 days," wrote Koshan.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly interested in the defenseman.
With Lamoriello trading captain Dion Phaneuf, most players are not feeling safe anymore, as it shows management's willingness to let go of key players for a longer term goal.
Maple Leaf goaltender James Reimer is also under the realization that he could be traded.
"You think about it like anybody, but at this time of year, heck, even if your name isn't being tossed around, you never know what is going on," said Reimer, according to Koshan.
"It's the time of year when the unexpected happens," he continued. "I have faith in what I can do and what I feel other people think of me. If you end up going somewhere, you make the most of it. But if not, you enjoy the moment, you enjoy where [you] are at, and you have fun working."
Numerous teams are interested in the 27-year-old, such as the Canadiens, Predators, Rangers and Sharks, reported Hockeybuzz.com. He becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Center Nazem Kadri is also feeling the heat. He has played with the team for his entire career, beginning in 2009.
"Whatever happens, happens," said Kadri, according to Koshan. "What's supportive for me is everyone from Lou to the coaching staff and [Babcock] have been really encouraging, so I am just trying to stick with it and not worry about it too much."
Coach Mike Babcock understands that his players are feeling a bit uneasy as the deadline approaches.
"We talked about that today. If you play real hard, and you get prepared, and you stay determined, you can walk around town, go for breakfast, life is good, people like you, it's no problem. If you don't get prepared, and you don't play with determination, and you don't play with structure, it's not as much fun to be around town. We got the most home games [18] of anybody [in the NHL] left. Let's be good," he said, according to Koshan.
While Polak seems to be the most likely candidate, P.A. Parenteau, Nick Spaling, Brad Boyes and Shawn Matthias are all available to be traded. The Maple Leafs might look much different in March.
