The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly eyeing a significant addition to their roster as the team struggles to find consistency, with insiders linking them to Justin Faulk, a three-time All-Star defenseman currently playing for the St. Louis Blues. General Manager Brad Treliving is under pressure to shake things up, and despite the team's recent performance, he seems inclined to be a buyer as the trade deadline approaches.

The search for defensive upgrades has been a priority for the Maple Leafs, with earlier rumors connecting them to players like Rasmus Andersson and Dougie Hamilton. Now, Justin Faulk's name has emerged as another potential target. According to Jeremy Rutherford and Chris Johnston from The Athletic, the Blues are likely to trade Faulk, and the Maple Leafs are considered a logical destination.

Rutherford suggests that Faulk's trade value is currently high, and with only one year remaining on his contract at a $6.5 million average annual value, he is an attractive and manageable option for contending teams. The Blues, looking to the future of their defense with prospects like Adam Jiricek and Logan Mailloux, might benefit from moving Faulk to acquire valuable assets. Other teams that might be interested in Faulk include the Florida Panthers and Utah.

Faulk, 33, is in his sixth season of a seven-year, $45.5 million extension he signed after joining the Blues in 2019. This season, he has been productive, scoring 19 points (nine goals and ten assists) in 37 games.

However, questions remain whether acquiring a player in his mid-30s is the right move for the Maple Leafs, especially given their current struggles. While Faulk could be a valuable addition if the team were performing as expected, trading away future assets for an older player carries risk.

Notably, the Maple Leafs have also been mentioned in connection with other Blues players, including goaltender Jordan Binnington and forward Brayden Schenn, both of whom have a history with current Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, having won the Stanley Cup with him in 2019. The Maple Leafs have been dealing with injuries to goalies Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, making Binnington an attractive option. Schenn's experience and production could also provide a boost to Toronto's top six forwards.

However, acquiring Binnington would present cap challenges, as his $6 million per season contract exceeds Woll's $3.6 million, and the Maple Leafs may need to include additional assets to convince the Blues to retain some of Binnington's salary. Similarly, acquiring Schenn could require a package including a first-round pick or a top prospect.

It's also worth noting that the Maple Leafs were interested in Ryan O'Reilly, but he apparently wasn't interested in a reunion.