Blockbuster Trade Opportunity Arises for Brad Treliving to Bolster Leafs Roster
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
There is a major opportunity that lies ahead of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving with the NHL Trade Deadline now just days away.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere continue to await on pins and needles to see what their team will do by Friday's NHL Trade Deadline to ensure that they can go on an extended playoff run for the first time in decades.
The The Maple Leafs have already been said to have rejected an offer from the Philadelphia Flyers that would require them to send Fraser Minten to Philly in exchange for Scott Laughton despite their reported interest in the latter.
According to a report from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, there's a chance that the Leafs could look to acquire a "combo" of both Laughton and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, whom he believes is far better than his reputation from his days with the Buffalo Sabres.
And Laughton. He's been after both of these guys. There was a deal on the table two drafts ago, I think, in Nashville, and it was almost the same price. It was a first round pick, and Toronto opted not to do it.
They've liked them for that long, they've liked Ristolainen. Ristolainen has gotten a bad rap from his days in Buffalo when he was still trying to figure out his game.
Since he got to Philly, he's been a hell of a lot better, he's been really good. But from a fan base perspective, that reputation followed him and it hasn't been complimentary.
But he's been a very steady defenseman for that group, and they haven't been great.
You put him in a strong and more competitive environment on a contending team, I think he definitely strengthens the blue line. But he has two years left on his deal, Laughton has one year left on his deal.
I know the asking price, they want Fraser Minten. Minten was a guy that Philly was interested in, and again I don't think Toronto really wants to move their 1st round pick next year.
So, they've got to juggle it. Does it make it more palatable to include a guy like Minten and Moore if it's a combo deal?
Probably, but then you're looking at $8.1 million of cap space....you have to figure out how to juggle that. I don't know if we're going to see something along those lines in terms of a combo situation.
They've liked them for that long, they've liked Ristolainen. Ristolainen has gotten a bad rap from his days in Buffalo when he was still trying to figure out his game.
Since he got to Philly, he's been a hell of a lot better, he's been really good. But from a fan base perspective, that reputation followed him and it hasn't been complimentary.
But he's been a very steady defenseman for that group, and they haven't been great.
You put him in a strong and more competitive environment on a contending team, I think he definitely strengthens the blue line. But he has two years left on his deal, Laughton has one year left on his deal.
I know the asking price, they want Fraser Minten. Minten was a guy that Philly was interested in, and again I don't think Toronto really wants to move their 1st round pick next year.
So, they've got to juggle it. Does it make it more palatable to include a guy like Minten and Moore if it's a combo deal?
Probably, but then you're looking at $8.1 million of cap space....you have to figure out how to juggle that. I don't know if we're going to see something along those lines in terms of a combo situation.
The Flyers remain a team to watch as the deadline approaches, as GM Daniel Briere could elect to be a seller while keeping his focus on the long-term future of his team.
Philly is nowhere near where they want to be and with a roster that desperately needs an overhaul, they should jump at a chance to get rid of their veterans and start over.
Toronto has to figure out some type of move and the cost to acquire both players isn't going to take only strong assets, but a heavy amount of cap movement as well.
Meanwhile, the future is now for the Maple Leafs, who must go on a lengthy postseason run this spring lest there be major changes to the organization.
| POLL | ||
MARS 5 | 857 ANSWERS Blockbuster Trade Opportunity Arises for Brad Treliving to Bolster Leafs Roster Which player from the Flyers would you rather Leafs GM Brad Treliving try to acquire? | ||
| Rasmus Ristolainen | 235 | 27.4 % |
| Scott Laughton | 298 | 34.8 % |
| Both | 324 | 37.8 % |
| List of polls | ||