Elliotte Friedman Reveals Bold Wild Card Move Brad Treliving Could Make This Off-Season
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NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman presented a very intriguing proposal if the Maple Leafs wanted to add forward depth this summer, and it involves trading a blueliner.
With free agency set to kick off in a short time, and the NHL Draft upon us next week, the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving really have to get things going one way or another.
Whether it's announcing that Matthew Knies has been locked up, or they pull of a trade or two; something needs to get done or fans are going to get more antsy than they already are.
They don't have a ton of draft capital and assets, and their prospect system is fine but nothing that pulls in a premium return.
Swapping out the back end for front help: Toronto's potential off-season strategy
So what if they were to deal from their surplus and find help that way? More specifically, their blueline.
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, if he were the Maple Leafs he would entertain the thought of trading away a defenseman for some much needed forward help:
Toronto wild-card: to replace Marner could they move a defenceman to get a forward?
It would need to be more than just a defenseman, but with Toronto in win-now mode, there are a few ways they can get there.
Toronto can trade either a crafty veteran or an intriguing prospect
Well, they could find themselves doing one of two things. First, they can try and trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a contender or a team seeking a veteran defenseman who can still bring the offense, adds some edge and physicality and is a proven winner.
He's signed to a fairly reasonable deal, and there are several teams who could be looking for extra help such as both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, as well as the Los Angeles Kings.
Ekman-Larsson, 33, had 29 points in 77 games for the Maple Leafs this season (4G, 29A). He signed a four-year deal last summer and is making $3.5-million for the next three seasons.
Barring that, and if Craig Berube wants to keep OEL, then he could ask Brad Treliving to deal Ben Danford instead.
I know you're thinking that's a crazy idea, but Danford is still a wildcard himself, and is projected to be a great 3D and good 2D player; not necessarily the stud Toronto might have hoped for.
Selling on his hype and giving a team a young prospect to work around might be enough. Danford, 19, had 25 points in 61 games (5G, 20A) while also making the OHL Championships but lost to fellow Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and the London Knights.
You still don't know when or if he is going to be an NHL-ready player and win their window to win being smaller and smaller each year, Toronto has to be proactive and sometimes making a move like that is tough, but necessary.
As to who Toronto would bring in it's hard to say but they have options. Marco Rossi from Minnesota would be a fantastic fit as a young dynamic forward who had a bit of a falling out with the Wild, or even Charlie Coyle if they wanted a cheaper route.
It's going to be a hectic offseason for Brad Treliving, and if he wanted to get it going; then perhaps a good place to start is dealing his defenders.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 21 | 657 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman Reveals Bold Wild Card Move Brad Treliving Could Make This Off-Season Which defenseman would you trade from the Maple Leafs to add forward depth? | ||
| Morgan Rielly | 486 | 74 % |
| Simon Benoit | 37 | 5.6 % |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson | 42 | 6.4 % |
| Ben Danford | 92 | 14 % |
| List of polls | ||
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