Brad Treliving Urged to Pursue Trade for Top Power Forward to Bolster Maple Leafs' Lineup
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could do themselves a big favor by adding one premium forward to their ranks this summer after a coaching change might lead to him leaving.
While Brad Treliving did a bang up job to improve the Maple Leafs roster during the offseason and at the trade deadline, there's always ways to make the team better even with a flurry of moves.
With questions around if Mitch Marner is going to stay, plus concerns about their secondary scoring beyond their Core 4; perhaps Brad Treliving needs to take advantage of a big change over in New York.
As Mike Sullivan takes the reins behind the bench for the Rangers, there's going to be a big overhaul in terms of assistants as well as roster construction.
That means that big names like Mika Zibanejad, Calvin de Haan, and Chris Kreider are potentially on the way out, and if a new article is to be believed; then Kreider most likely is, and Toronto needs to scoop him up.
Chris Kreider's Time In New York Ending: New York Post
New York Post contributor Larry Brooks recently wrote about Mike Sullivan's arrival in the Big Apple, and one of the many questions posed was if the new head coach coming in means that Kreider is on the outs:
It could, but I wouldn't count on it.
Sullivan was the assistant coach for John Tortorella when Kreider joined the Blueshirts as a 19-year-old out of Boston College for the 2012 playoffs and held the same position for the 2012-13 season, after which the staff was dismissed.
Sullivan was the assistant coach for John Tortorella when Kreider joined the Blueshirts as a 19-year-old out of Boston College for the 2012 playoffs and held the same position for the 2012-13 season, after which the staff was dismissed.
But he then relented that Kreider has dealt with a lot of ups and downs recently and coming off an injured filled season with the worst stats of his career, the writing might be on the wall:
Kreider, coming off the worst full season of his career while recording 30 points (22-8), was transparent at breakup day about the myriad of ailments with which he had been attempting to manage this season.
But the 34-year-old never addressed the leaked trade memo sent out by GM Chris Drury in mid-November that advertised, by name, that both he and Jacob Trouba were available.
Kreider was never transparent about how he felt about that.
But the 34-year-old never addressed the leaked trade memo sent out by GM Chris Drury in mid-November that advertised, by name, that both he and Jacob Trouba were available.
Kreider was never transparent about how he felt about that.
His name was floated around heavily during deadline talks, and the former 50-goal scorer could have added a lot to a team had he been healthy, but it seems concerns over his production led to him being passed over.
New York had a miserable season after so much was expected of them, and a thorough change might be necessary. The Islanders did it with Brock Nelson and Lou Lamoriello, so it's not a shock if Kreider goes.
As Brooks notes:
The Rangers want to get on with transforming the team and the hierarchy will need to clear cap space in order to do that.
There is a strong sense that the feeling is mutual and that after 13 years with the organization, Kreider recognizes that the relationship has run its course and that he needs a fresh start.
There is a strong sense that the feeling is mutual and that after 13 years with the organization, Kreider recognizes that the relationship has run its course and that he needs a fresh start.
So with all of that being said, where does that leave Toronto and Kreider?
Well, first off, they could start by fielding an offer straight up. New York would love to nab a few players from the Maple Leafs and are going to be desperate to make a deal as the weeks pass.
He's not cheap, and he won't come cheap either. But Toronto did just restock their farm system with a myriad of NCAA and junior prospects, so not only could one of them be on the outs, but some mainstays too.
Guys like Pontus Holmberg, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann are all potential names New York could covet, and a combination of one or several of those players plus an AHL body or two could be enough to persuade Chris Drury.
Kreider is going to be expensive for New York to keep if they are rebuilding, he's already 34, and dealing with injury issues.
Suffice to say it doesn't look great for Toronto either, but with anemic scoring outside of the top stars, Kreider wouldn't be a terrible option provided he stays healthy.
He has 582 career points in 863 games (326G, 256A) and has averaged nearly 34 goals over the past five seasons; he costs $6.5M for the next two seasons.
Previously on HockeyPatrol
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 571 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Urged to Pursue Trade for Top Power Forward to Bolster Maple Leafs' Lineup Do you think Toronto should pursue Chris Kreider this offseason? | ||
| Yes | 247 | 43.3 % |
| No | 324 | 56.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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