Darren Dreger: Maple Leafs Face Major Challenge Attracting Key Players in Free Agency
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have a tough time bringing in the pieces they need due to a multitude of reasons.
It's going to be a Free Agent Frenzy on July 1 as NHL teams all fight to be the highest bidder for some of the league's best.
Mitch Marner is set to headline this year's class and he's expected to command a ton of money, along with the expectations that come with such a monstrous contract.
Darren Dreger Explains Toronto's Difficulties Adding Players
His soon to be former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, could certainly use a few new faces come next season, and while there are certainly some key pieces they could grab, it might not be that easy.
According to Darrren Dreger, there's a very good reason:
[Treliving] pointed to the challenges Toronto faces in acquiring the kind of players they want.
With some of their younger trade chips already spent and their draft pick cupboard thinning saying, it won't be easy. Still, Brad Treliving isn't someone who backs away from that.
He's always involved in everything, but for Brad Treliving and Craig Berube to bring in the pieces that not only they want, but will help the team going forward is no easy task.
With some of their younger trade chips already spent and their draft pick cupboard thinning saying, it won't be easy. Still, Brad Treliving isn't someone who backs away from that.
He's always involved in everything, but for Brad Treliving and Craig Berube to bring in the pieces that not only they want, but will help the team going forward is no easy task.
Given how thin some of the prospect pool is, coupled with a lack of draft picks could make things difficult, but there's still ways the team can bring in some pieces.
Toronto Can Still Get Some Key Pieces But It Won't Be Easy
It's not to say that the Maple Leafs prospect pool is necessarily bad, and with the amount of free agents Brad Treliving signed this past season from the NCAA and OHL, it got a bit better than you'd think.
The team certainly isn't going to part with Easton Cowan, but they have some intriguing names like Topi Niemala, Ryan Kirwan, John Prokop, Artur Akhtyamov, and Borya Valis in their system who could entice a team or two.
That won't bring a spectacular return, but if the team can get some NHL-ready players from a rebuilding squad desperate for youth, it could be beneficial.
On top of that, the team could also look to open up cap and roster space by buying out players like David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok; not to mention potentially letting go of Max Domi so there's money to be played with.
There's a ton of small changes and roster moves the team can make that could have a huge impact on this season. Will it be as dominant as previous ones?
Probably not, but if you have some patience, you'll see the future holds something much, much bigger.
| POLL | ||
MAI 24 | 699 ANSWERS Darren Dreger: Maple Leafs Face Major Challenge Attracting Key Players in Free Agency Why do players hate playing in Toronto? | ||
| Media | 434 | 62.1 % |
| Weather | 16 | 2.3 % |
| Franchise Pressure | 171 | 24.5 % |
| Financial | 78 | 11.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
