It's NHL trade rumor season. Each week before the Feb. 26 trade deadline, serves as a one-stop guide to the latest rumblings around the league. With the NHL's Feb. 26 trade deadline le s than a month away, speculation will grow regarding potential moves by playoff contenders. TheMaple Leafs are among those expected to become buyers by deadline day. The Leafs' defense is their biggest concern. Entering Wednesday's contest against theIslanders, their shots against per Christian Wood Jersey game (33.8) arefourth-worst in the league and the highest among teams currently holding playoff berths. They have also had difficulty holding leads after two periods. MORE: On Friday, the New York Post's Larry Brooks the Rangers are leaning toward retooling their lineup with younger talent. On Jan. 20, the Blueshirts offer up defenseman Ryan McDonagh to the Leafs in hopes of prying away young forward William Nylander. A skilled all-around rearguard and leader such as McDonagh could be just what the Leafs' blueline needs. However, TSN's Bob McKenzie for a defenseman who turns 29 in July.McDonagh's eligibility next year for unrestricted free agency could also be a sticking point for the Leafs. He'll seek a substantial raise over his current $4.7 million annual average salary. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman the Leafs' prior interest in Avalanche blueliner Tyson Barrie . The 26-year-old Barrie is under contract for two more seasons with an annual cap hit of $5.5 million. He's been sidelined since mid-December by a hand injury, but is expected to return to action soon. The Nickeil Alexander-Walker Jersey Avs have played well in his absence, fueling the speculation he could be available. The Leafs, however, could be leery of taking on a player whose contract runs beyond this season. Young forwards such as Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will all seek big raises within the next year that will eat up valuable cap space. MORE: They must also decide if they can afford to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent left wing James van Riemsdyk. He could seek over $6 million annually on a long-term deal. Sportsnet's Luke Fox if the Leafs could consider swapping him for a defenseman at the Rawle Alkins Jersey trade deadline or retain him for the playoffs and hope to sort out his contract situation before July 1. Leafs management might not wish to burden themselves with potential salary-cap headaches next season. They could instead consider a short-term addition by pursuing a defenseman due to become unrestricted free agents in July. On Friday, McKenzie's colleague Darren Dreger of Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello inquiring about Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson . The 31-year-old Johnson over concerns of his reduced role with the Jackets. If they can't land a puck-mover such as Johnson, Mike Green of the Red Wings could be a good alternative. The Canucks' Erik Gudbranson could be a good, cheaper option as a shutdown defender, also. MORE: Sharks seekscoring help The Sharks' offense suffered a serious blow last week, as center Joe Thornton underwent arthroscopic surgery . Losing their best playmaker could hurt their chances of nailing down a postseason Stanley Johnson Jersey spot. Coming out of the All-Star break, the Sharks (59 points) are second in the Pacific Division. They'reonly two points ahead of Los Angeles and Anaheim, who sit just outside the Western Conference playoff picture. Thornton's absence leaves the Sharks thin up the middle. On Thursday, TSN's Pierre LeBrun they were already shopping for a fourth-line center and speculated they could become more aggre sive in search of a scorer. However, NBC Sports Bay Area's Marcus White GM Doug Wilson will rely on the rest of the Sindarius Thornwell Jersey lineup for the time being to fill the gap left by Thornton's absence. It's understandable why Wilson wants to stay the course for now. The only notable centers potentially available in the trade market include Montreal's Tomas Plekanec , Edmonton's Mark Letestu , Ottawa's Jean-Gabriel Pageau and theRangers' David Desharnais . The Sharks will require younger players such as Tomas Hertl, Joonas Donskoi, Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc to step up their play. Depending on his club's performance leading up to the deadline, Wilson could be hoping for the trade market to improve as more clubs fall out of playoff contention.