The Toronto Maple Leafs inquired about the availability of Philadelphia Flyers blue-liner Sean Walker and Nashville Predators rearguard Alexandre Carrier, according to TSN's Chris Johnston.
Toronto is reluctant to move its first-round pick this year and has been offering packages of lower selections, Johnston adds. The Maple Leafs don't own a second-round pick in any of the next three drafts.
The club has also been linked to Calgary Flames veteran Chris Tanev throughout the season, though he's expected to be one of the biggest names available ahead of the March 8 deadline. Walker and Carrier could be cheaper options to help on the right side of Toronto's back end.
Walker carries a $2.65-million cap hit before reaching unrestricted free agency this summer. The 29-year-old is in his first season with the Flyers following a trade from the Los Angeles Kings last June. He's notched 19 points in 54 appearances with Philadelphia while averaging nearly 20 minutes per night.
Carrier, also a pending UFA, counts for $2.5 million against the cap. The 27-year-old has 14 points in 48 games this season.
The Maple Leafs entered Thursday's action occupying the Eastern Conference's first wild-card spot with 62 points. They're projected to have approximately $1.2 million in deadline cap space, according to Cap Friendly.
