A Key Trade Brad Treliving Must Consider This Off-Season for the Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs did themselves good at the trade deadline by adding some much needed defensive prowess both on the back end with Brandon Carlo, and up front with Scott Laughton, as the team prides itself on defensive smarts as opposed to pure offense.

But you still need to score goals to win games, and while the main culprits have all contributed, plus some solid production from Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies; they still need to add that premium scoring threat, especially if Mitch Marner walks in free agency.

So one player they should really try and focus on who could use a change of scenery is New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider, who would not only add some fantastic offensive potential, but give the team a true dominant force much in the vein of Knies.

So if the Maple Leafs want to add Kreider, they are going to need to do so via the trade market; he's still got two years left on his seven-year deal at a cost of $6.5M per season.

A former 50-goal scorer, there's no doubt that Kreider would give Toronto a huge leg up in the offense department, and might find some fantastic chemistry with fellow American and captain Auston Matthews.

This season has been rough to say the least for Kreider, which could be a sign that either he or New York want to part ways.

In 61 games, he's posted only 25 points (20G, 5A) so if Toronto wants anything besides scoring from him they'll need to hope that he replicates his previous output.

It's not going to be cheap either, as there's no doubt New York will want some premium assets, however they are also middling about in the Metropolitan Division, and they may want to shift gears and work towards a new identity and move on from veterans like Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.

With that being said, what could a potential offer look like?

Toronto Receives:

(F) Chris Kreider

New York Rangers Receive:

(F) Calle Jarnkrok
(F) Nicholas Robertson
(D) Topi Niemala

The offer itself doesn't look all that spectacular but hear me out. New York is going to need both NHL-ready players and prospects for their future teams, and they are also going to need money soon if they want Artemi Panarin back, or try for big name free agents like Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in 2026.

Calle Jarnkrok is a cheap bottom-six option who can help out on the penalty kill, play solid defense and chip in offensively when healthy, and would be a good locker room presence for a younger Rangers team.

Nicholas Robertson needs a fresh start, and while he did just score a goal against Columbus, 13 goals for a player who was expected to break out and score 20+ while adding 50 points is not great. He's also going to be 24 next season, and not even close to his prime, so there's a chance he could break out in New York.

Topi Niemala is an interesting option as he never found a spot in Toronto's lineup after so many years in the minors, and could be intriguing as a project with other young defenders like Braden Schneider and Zachary Jones.

It's not perfect, but it's certainly the framework for a potential deal this offseason. We will need to see how the Mitch Marner situation turns out first, but after that?

Look for Brad Treliving to start making moves.