Auston Matthews Could Soon Have a New Winger as Maple Leafs Explore Trade Market
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs need to find the perfect fit alongside Auston Matthews, and from recent reports, they are working hard to bring them in.
With all the talk surrounding who the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to bring in to help alleviate the pain that is losing Mitch Marner's offense (for better or worse) but have done well so far, bringing in Matias Maccelli to add to their top six, likely beside John Tavares and William Nylander.
Though he's great, and there's a very solid chance he breaks out when playing next to elite level talent, the team is still missing that one last punch to get them over the edge and give them a much more balanced lineup.
Toronto targeting another big top-six forward for Auston Matthews
There are a few names the team has been linked to including former star forward Nazem Kadri, however nothing is concrete yet; but there's still lots of time.
Though they have that time to make a move, it seems they don't wanna waste any time getting things done as reports have indicated that Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs front office are working diligently to bring in that highly coveted top-six forward.
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Maple Leafs continue to try and get a deal done soon:
Also on the Leafs, they will continue to peruse the trade market for a top-six winger, preferably someone who can slot on the right side of Auston Matthews.
With Matthew Knies already locking down the left side of the ice, and William Nylander pretty much glued to John Tavares at this point, there's a few options the team can bring in.
First and foremost, the most tantalizing piece may be Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust. While it may seem like a broken record to do business with Kyle Dubas again, Rust brings in a true veteran scoring presence with winning credentials and give you at least 20-25 goals.
He will be expensive though, as Pagnotta notes:
Rust has three years left on his contract and will see his full no-movement clause expire at the end of June 30, leaving him without any no-trade protection.
There is already plenty of interest out there and with Pittsburgh in sell mode, he could be had but will command a high package if the Penguins part with him.
There is already plenty of interest out there and with Pittsburgh in sell mode, he could be had but will command a high package if the Penguins part with him.
It's hard to know what a package might entail, but with a surplus of goaltenders and Pittsburgh needing some help, a Dennis Hildeby and Nick Robertson package could be enough to sway Dubas.
Bringing in a reliable scorer with two Stanley Cups and who spent the better part of a decade playing alongside Sidney Crosby in some capacity; you can't get much better than that.
But beyond Rust, we have names like Jared McCann and Jordan Kyrou, though Pagnotta seems less confident on them.
On Kyrou:
Kyrou's name first popped up during the season, ahead of the trade deadline, but it would take a significant trade in order for the Blues to pull the trigger. His no-movement clause kicked in July 1, and while a move seems unlikely now, that hasn't stopped teams in the past.
On McCann:
With two more years left on his contract, McCann is an attractive add for teams looking to add more scoring punch to their lineup. He has a 10-team no-trade list and has some say in where he winds up, if the Kraken decide to trade him.
Whichever direction the team wants to go, whether bringing in an old face like Kadri or McCann, or freshen things up even further with Kyrou or Rust; Brad Treliving has something planned.
We're just gonna have to wait until the trigger is pulled.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 5 | 2249 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Could Soon Have a New Winger as Maple Leafs Explore Trade Market Who should the Maple Leafs try and acquire? | ||
| Nazem Kadri | 989 | 44 % |
| Jared McCann | 376 | 16.7 % |
| Jordan Kyrou | 550 | 24.5 % |
| Bryan Rust | 334 | 14.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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