Bold Trade Proposal Emerges That Could Fix a Major Problem for the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
According to TSN OverDrive's Jason Strudwick, the Maple Leafs could target Shayne Gostisbehere in a deal that would bring puck-moving flair to Toronto's blue line.
Although Morgan Rielly is still able to be the Leafs top puck-mover and be on the power play, he struggled last season on the PP and dealt with inconsistency.
On TSN's 'Overdrive' Jason Strudwick suggested that one name that makes sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs to pursue as a replacement is Shayne Gostisbehere.
Gostisbehere, who had 45 points in 70 games played this season with the Carolina Hurricanes, is a capable puck mover, but like Rielly has faced questions over his consistency.
Strudwick: Shayne Gostisbehere To Toronto A Potential Fit
One name that pops into my head, just as an example, is Shayne Gostisbehere, a guy that moves the puck, transports the puck, doesn't have to be him but that's the vision in my head in what I think they need to pair with someone else.
Again, it doesn't need to be that player, but just somebody who can move the puck besides someone who's a bit stay-at-home just to get that puck going up the ice quicker to those forwards. - Jason Strudwick
Again, it doesn't need to be that player, but just somebody who can move the puck besides someone who's a bit stay-at-home just to get that puck going up the ice quicker to those forwards. - Jason Strudwick
Frank Corrado responded in agreement, pointing out that Gostisbehere has always been a player who has been available and the Leafs haven't gone after him, whether because they couldn't or wouldn't.
The crazy thing is, the Leafs could have had Shayne Gostisbehere the last three or four years, like he's been on one-year tickets, he was on a one-year ticket with Carolina, then with Detroit, and those guys...it felt like Toronto had that already and were like, "we need the tree trunks.
We need the guys Vegas had because we have to clog things up a bit more now, and now if you look at it, you have Tanev & McCabe, good shutdown pair, Carlo & Reilly, well you added the big presence with your puck-mover, and then OEL & Benoit.
I look at it and OEL's on the third pair? He was on the third pair with Florida when he won, so good chances are that he's slotted right.
I get what you're saying about having a guy who's a slick puck-mover, but it feels like they've tried to almost overcompensate for thinking that way for so long they said "we just need to get the mutants". - Frank Corrado
We need the guys Vegas had because we have to clog things up a bit more now, and now if you look at it, you have Tanev & McCabe, good shutdown pair, Carlo & Reilly, well you added the big presence with your puck-mover, and then OEL & Benoit.
I look at it and OEL's on the third pair? He was on the third pair with Florida when he won, so good chances are that he's slotted right.
I get what you're saying about having a guy who's a slick puck-mover, but it feels like they've tried to almost overcompensate for thinking that way for so long they said "we just need to get the mutants". - Frank Corrado
Is Shayne Gostisbehere The Right Move For Toronto
Gostisbehere is one of the best power play defensemen in the NHL and could be an offensive replacement for Rielly, but has struggled immensely on defense and has dealt with in inconsistency not just this season but throughout his NHL career.
Gostisbehere may do fine with one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL in Chris Tanev to clean up for him and let Gostisbehere be the mobile puck-mover with Tanev the stay-at-home defender.
It would still be a question the ability of Gostisbehere's effectiveness, if he's just another Morgan Rielly or is the right fit who has weaknesses that can be covered up on Toronto's defense.
As mentioned, Gostisbehere is not the type of defenseman Toronto usually looks at, or specifically Brad Treliving. At 5'11, he's smaller than what Treliving usually goes at with big, physical defenders who play their size.
Treliving was willing to add a smaller forward in Matias Maccelli, but small defensemen have not been apart of his plans even before Toronto.
Shayne Gostisbehere may be a sensible fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their look for a #1 defenseman, even if he's far from the perfect top-pairing defender.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 1915 ANSWERS Bold Trade Proposal Emerges That Could Fix a Major Problem for the Maple Leafs Should the Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Shayne Gostisbehere? | ||
| Yes | 622 | 32.5 % |
| No | 1293 | 67.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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