Jamal Mayers and Garnett Exelby made their desire to play elsewhere publicially known this past week.
To no surprise hockey message boards were flooded with negative comments about how they would bring in no value as they can't even crack a lowly Maple Leafs roster. Now, this may be true, but that doesn't mean these two players couldn't bring a draft pick in return at the deadline.
While the value of either player isn't high, these are the type of targets GMs go for when they are priming to make a push for the playoff run. Cheap veteran players aren't overlooked, and if the price for one is a late round pick, a GM is usually glad to add the warm body.
Take for example Steve Begin last season. Begin was a scratch on some nights for the Montreal Canadiens and they were able to peddle him for depth defender Doug Janik. Janik was later a throw in as part of the Scott Gomez trade.
Obviously not great value, but something (Janik) for nothing (Begin).
Onto Exelby, a guy who hasn't quite been the same player since he suffered a concussion in Atlanta. Again, not a flashy player or someone a team would play in their top-four, but an NHL depth defender.
A comparable 'value' may be that of last seasons deal or 'almost deal' involving the oft-injured veteran defender Kyle McLaren. McLaren spent most of the year recoving from injury and playing in the AHL, but the Flyers were prepared to send a 6th round pick for him had he passed his physical (which he didn't).
Now what does this all mean? It means no matter how poorly these two may have played this season, NHL bodies like Mayers and Exelby have some value at this point in the season. It may not be much, but it shouldn't come to a shock to anyone if these two are traded at some point for a draft pick.
I'd say if the Maple Leafs can come out with a couple of 5th round selections for them, then that would be a success given how much they've contributed to the team this year. And who's to say these two can't revive their careers in other markets under different systems? Sometimes it just takes the right circumstances for a player to find their groove.
