Brad Treliving may not have a choice but to make a trade after the Chris Tanev update
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images (left), Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images (right)
With news Chris Tanev may be out until playoff time, Brad Treliving's hand may be forced when it comes to making a trade.
It's been a rough season for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to injuries but arguably Chris Tanev has gotten the worst of it all. Not only has he dealt with three separate injuries, but could be looking at a very lengthy bit of time off.
Surgery is still being pursued and if that's the case, we won't see Tanev until roughly late April or early May. That means the Maple Leafs are going to need help holding things down until then and while they are getting Brandon Carlo back; they still need reinforcements.
Toronto could look to replace Chris Tanev for playoff push
Which is why it's not surprising to Elliotte Friedman that Tanev's injury may necessitate a deal for another shutdown defender.
In his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman explained that with Tanev out, it's going to be decision time for Brad Treliving whether he stays with his current group or goes after someone:
I think Chris Tanev is gonna be out a while; we'll see what Toronto decides to do here, do they go and say alright we're sticking with what we've got or do they go out there and look for another defenseman.
If Treliving does end up going after someone, he's going to have to make sure that whoever he brings in is not only able to replace Tanev, but also isn't going to cost him his future.
Toronto's gotta make a choice, regardless of how difficult it is
There's a lot of talk about whether the team will end up with Rasmus Andersson, and he would be a great stop-gap solution that also elevates the rest of the blueline much like Tanev did.
But he may cost quite a bit and the team also needs to make sure they are able to get him locked up to an extension otherwise this is going to be one expensive rental.
Tanev is only in his second season with the Maple Leafs, and while he managed to stay healthy last year and only missed seven games; much like Anthony Stolarz it's a whole different story this year.
Knowing they have him locked up for so long, at his age and clearly with some injury baggage it's a rough sophomore season for the veteran defender, and it could accelerate the need to make a deal before it's too late.
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JANVIER 6 | 1438 ANSWERS Brad Treliving may not have a choice but to make a trade after the Chris Tanev update Do you think Toronto should trade for Chris Tanev's replacement this season? | ||
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