Elliotte Friedman's Report Sparks Debate on Maple Leafs Trading for 2x Stanley Cup Champion

A new report from Elliotte Friedman should have the wheels spinning for Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs. On Saturday's Headlines, the NHL Insider reported that Detroit is fielding trade offers for winger Vladimir Tarasenko due to his lack of fit in the lineup.

With Toronto desperately needing offensive support -- is it a smart move to make a deal?

Acquiring a two-time Stanley Cup Champion is always in the cards for most teams, and the fact that Tarasenko could be in play is a bit surprising.

Tarasenko, 33, is having a down year compared to his normal output with only 7 goals and 15 assists in 53 games with the Red Wings.

But he is only a season removed from scoring 23 goals and winning a Stanley Cup with the Panthers and as recent as 2021-22 he had a 34-goal season.

For his career, the 13-year veteran has 300 goals and 351 assists in 804 games with time spent in St. Louis, New York (Rangers), Ottawa, Florida, and Detroit.

Toronto needs offense and while he's struggling this season, a fresh start could be what kickstarts the latter part of his year. He would be able to fit throughout the lineup in the Top 9 and be able to chip in on the power play as well.

Tarasenko also has familiarity with Craig Berube as he won his first Cup with the current Leafs head coach as a member of the Blues.

The main issue is his contract. Would you want to commit $4.75M for this season and the next for a regressing player?

Wouldn't you rather hedge your bets on a player like Scott Laughton or Yanni Gourde? They both offer more defensively and fix issues Toronto needs while also adding secondary scoring.

He's going to take more than just a second-round pick in order to get a trade done. Is Nicholas Robertson or Pontus Holmberg worth an aging Tarasenko?