Darren Dreger Connects Maple Leafs to Top-Six Forward With Brad Treliving Ties
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
NHL Insider Darren Dreger stirred the pot with his recent comments on TSN's FirstUp program, where he mentioned the Maple Leafs could look to sign Dillon Dube.
With the news that the NHL was going to be reinstating the five Team Canada junior players after initially being banned from the league, it started a new wave of rumors about where these now free agent players may end up.
One of them already signed a deal overseas, and the remainder are still vying for a deal somewhere in either the NHL or AHL although the potential backlash might be swaying some teams.
Why Darren Dreger Connected This Forward to the Maple Leafs
It's not swaying NHL Insider Darren Dreger though, as he pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs could use one of them who has a connection to GM Brad Treliving.
Appearing on TSN's FirstUp program on Monday, Dreger explained the team could target Dillon Dube due to his history with Treliving and Toronto's need for some extra scoring help:
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs put their hat in the ring and take a decent swing at Dillon Dube.
There's history there, of course. It goes back to the Calgary days between Dubé and Brad Treliving.
It doesn't mean that Toronto is a frontrunner. It doesn't mean that the Maple Leafs are going to land Dillon Dube. But I mentioned earlier about their want for a top-six forward. The assumption is that a player like that could come in and fill that role.
There's history there, of course. It goes back to the Calgary days between Dubé and Brad Treliving.
It doesn't mean that Toronto is a frontrunner. It doesn't mean that the Maple Leafs are going to land Dillon Dube. But I mentioned earlier about their want for a top-six forward. The assumption is that a player like that could come in and fill that role.
Dube, 27, does have some scoring potential (57 goals in 325 games) and also adds a physical edge that could play well into the Maple Leafs new identity; he was drafted by Calgary 56th overall in 2016; when Treliving was helming the Flames front office.
Where He Could Fit in Toronto's Lineup
All controversy and potential backlash aside, Dube could bring in a genuine offensive presence to the middle six with the potential to slide up to the top line if needed.
John Tavares and William Nylander need a bigger body on their wing and while he's not massive, he's scrappy and loves to hit which can open up the ice while also chipping in at times.
Or Craig Berube could use Dakota Joshua in that role and put Dube with Nic Roy and Bobby McMann/Nick Robertson and create a scrappier and grittier third line with a bit more scoring potential.
He can also chip in at center when needed, and while he doesn't kill a tomato of penalties or play the power play a ton, he does offer something Toronto needs a lot of and that's shots; he loves to shoot and can help with getting pucks on net.
Plus he has a lot to prove and could have a chip on his shoulders to come in and perform, so the motivation to succeed could center his focus and make him a reliable contributor.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 15 | 988 ANSWERS Darren Dreger Connects Maple Leafs to Top-Six Forward With Brad Treliving Ties Should Toronto take a chance and sign Dillon Dube? | ||
| Yes | 386 | 39.1 % |
| No | 602 | 60.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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