Last year, it was the San Jose Sharks who really struck first in the rental market. On Feb. 22, they sent a pair of second-round picks to the Toronto Maple Leafs in return for defenseman Roman Polak and forward Nick Spaling.
The trade accomplished two things. One, the deals gave the Sharks the kind of depth needed to make a long run in the spring. Put it together with the James Reimer deal later struck with the Maple Leafs, and Toronto helped fill out San Jose’s playoff roster nicely.