NHL insider Darren Dreger recently spoke on the Toronto Maple Leafs' desire to trade for a defenseman and how it might prove to be unrealistic.
Over the past few days, extensive reporting has been done on the Toronto Maple Leafs' desire to get younger on the blue line. Simon Edvinsson and Alexander Nikishin have been named as some of John Chayka's most prized targets.
Of course, these kinds of trades are not easy to pull off. Rival teams want good assets in return. Ideally, they want players who can step into the roster right now. While the Leafs would prefer to give away futures, they would likely be forced into coughing up guys like Easton Cowan and Ben Danford.
It's the harsh reality of the trade market, and insiders like Darren Dreger believe it's actually a lot more complicated than just that.
On TSN 1050's "First Up," Dreger reiterated that the Leafs do not want a depth defenseman. Instead, they want a difference-maker. As Dreger explains, those players simply aren't on the market.
They're not looking for a depth defenseman, they're looking for a defenseman that is gonna move the needle...and who's trading that player away
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One could make the argument that Dreger's premise is incorrect. After all, Edvinsson and Nikishin are on the market right now.
The Maple Leafs and their aging defensive core
Regardless of who is available and who isn't, the fact remains the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a world of hurt when it comes to their current defensive core.
Guys like Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, and even Jake McCabe are all getting older. Meanwhile, by the end of Darren Raddysh's eight-year deal, he will be close to 40. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is also an aging defenseman, which is further proof that this blue line is not sustainable.
This is posing a major challenge for Chayka. There are a few solutions here that don't include mortgaging the future for some blockbuster deals.
For instance, the Leafs could try to promote Ben Danford and give him some games. Perhaps he will prove himself to be better than advertised. Anything is worth a shot at this point.
Meanwhile, the Leafs just need to keep drafting defensemen and building through their development system. It's not what the fans want to hear, but rebuilding this blue line is going to take time and a whole lot of patience.
Do you believe Darren Dreger is right about the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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