An unexpected strength could finally give the Maple Leafs real trade leverage
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, if Anthony Stolarz returns soon and proves he can be elite, it could give Toronto a chance to make an impactful trade in the future.
With all the talk recently about how the Maple Leafs can make a trade with the limited asset pool they have, the team will need to find ways to get creative if they want to make a deal.
While they could certainly try and find homes for players like Bobby McMann, Max Domi, Matias Maccelli and some others; the way they have all come together recently shows that perhaps this lineup is better kept together as a unit.
Then it comes to a question of who could the Maple Leafs deal off if they really want to make an impact ahead of or on trade deadline day.
Toronto starter dilemma overs unique trade asset for Maple Leafs
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, he may have the answer and it would be a little tough to stomach but could seriously make something happen.
Dreger was speaking on TSN's FirstUp and explained that once Anthony Stolarz gets healthy and if the goaltenders continue their hot streak, it would give the Maple Leafs three starters.
It's a great problem to have, but Dreger believes the team could dangle one of them in a package if they feel a trade target is worth that price:
Although they aren't there yet, the Maple Leafs will have three starting goalies once Anthony Stolarz comes back.
You're not going to be in a rush, but you could be looking at something in the offseason where a trade would make a difference which could be how they address help on the blueline.
You're not going to be in a rush, but you could be looking at something in the offseason where a trade would make a difference which could be how they address help on the blueline.
It's an interesting bump in the road for the Maple Leafs, who while dealing with several goalie injuries to Woll and Stolarz respectively, have actually had some of the most reliable and stable goaltending in a long time.
So who does Brad Treliving pick? The Brick Woll, The Hildebeast or The Veteran?
The duo of Woll and Stolarz were the first ever in franchise history to win 20+ games each, and it really looked like the team had a shot to push past the second round.
But a Stolaz concussion wiped that out, and he's been on the shelf for two months this season. Dennis Hildeby has been great in his absence and if there is a move to be made later on; this is a great litmus test.
If Stolarz comes back and proves he can stay healthy then it might be easier to move on from Hildeby knowing the team has Artur Akhtyamov as well in the system.
Though if he is facing another injury concern or doesn't come back to form, then they need to look to see if perhaps a team would be enticed by taking a chance on Stolarz knowing he can be good; and maybe a lesser workload will benefit him.
Whether or not a team determines if that's worth giving up assets for, it's not too often you see a team with three legitimate starters which gives Toronto the unique advantage of dealing from a loaded hand at a time where they seemed to come up with nothing.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 10 | 1123 ANSWERS An unexpected strength could finally give the Maple Leafs real trade leverage Which goalie should Toronto trade if they decide to move on from one of them? | ||
| Anthony Stolarz | 751 | 66.9 % |
| Joseph Woll | 51 | 4.5 % |
| Dennis Hildeby | 54 | 4.8 % |
| None of the Above | 267 | 23.8 % |
| List of polls | ||