Blues reportedly open for business with key players in play, putting the Maple Leafs on alert
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been presented a major opportunity to add to the roster following a new report.
With the Leafs struggles to begin the season commencing in a woeful 8-9-2 record, Toronto being under .500 at this point is far from what anyone could have expected out of the team.
Leafs head coach Craig Berube has made clear that there needs to be changes with the team, but has focused on how to do so internally.
For GM Brad Treliving, he'll be monitoring how the Leafs move forward, while being the one to decide if additions are needed to bolster the squad.
A new report from David Pagnotta indicates the St. Louis Blues are already exploring selling on the trade market, and it could be the perfect opportunity to help the Leafs find that key player they're looking for.
What David Pagnotta reported about the Blues being open for business
David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period' reported that the St. Louis Blues are taking calls "across the board", indicating an openness to discuss potential trades teams are looking at.
St. Louis sit seventh in the Central Division with 16 points and a 6-9-4 record, and only the Leafs with 72 goals allowed have had more shots go in the net than the Blues at 75.
The Blues defense has been at the heart of their struggles, with an aging group that is finding difficulty containing opponents at their own end.
The goaltending duo of Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer have an .869 and .867SV% respectively.
St. Louis has gotten offense out of their top-six, but have struggled to produce depth scoring to help the team make up ground.
There's the connection between the Blues and their former head coach Berube, with players from the squad that won the cup in 2019 still with the Leafs.
Which Blues players make the most sense as targets for the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few options that could intrigue them from St. Louis if they wish to pursue a trade with the team.
Brayden Schenn is one player the Leafs were heavily linked to at last year's trade deadline, with the Leafs reported to have had interest in the 34-year-old center.
Schenn is making $6.5M until 2028, meaning Toronto would have to shed some salary to make a deal work, potentially moving a roster player out, as Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the Leafs wanted to make "roster-for-roster deals".
Oskar Sundqvist, making just $1.5M, was a member of the 2019 cup winning team that is on an expiring deal, and could be a cheap bottom-six add for Toronto without having to give up too much.
Other options at forward could include Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas, both on the 2019 team, but perhaps too costly both in contract and return price.
On defense, Justin Faulk's $6.5M deal could be feasible with some retention. Matthew Kessel is a player that, according to sources during the trade deadline, the Leafs had inquired about for RHD depth.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few options to shore up their roster after a slow start, and St. Louis has a plethora of talent that could entice Toronto into a trade discussion.
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