Former First Overall Pick Emerges as Key Defensive Partner for Morgan Rielly and the Leafs

There's a lot of talk around Toronto regarding who the team is going to trade for, and whether or not they are going to focus on adding offensive depth, some defensive insurance, or perhaps make a big splash and go all-in for a Stanley Cup.

The team needs help for Morgan Rielly, who has been struggling immensely with his defense. NHL Insider Dave Pagnotta believes their Battle of QEW rivals hold the answer with former first overall pick Owen Power.

What more can you say about a former first overall pick? There's nothing like adding that level of player to your team, especially if you can pluck him from your rivals.

Stuck on a middling Sabres team that hasn't made the playoffs in over a decade, Power has yet to taste any measure of success, and could be looking for greener pastures as Buffalo seems to be listening as Pagnotta states:

Power, 22, would be right at home as a native of Mississauga.

A towering presence at 6'6, 221 pounds, Power uses his length to disrupt opponents and his brute strength to deliver bone-crunching hits though he probably should try and increase those numbers (something Craig Berube and Lane Lambert can help him with).

He's a big shot-blocker too, and for such a shutdown defenseman has some offensive chops too. Power has 18 goals and 96 points in 212 games.

This season, the young defenseman has six goals and 19 assists in 49 games with Buffalo but is a minus-11 to go along with the offense, so a change of scenery with some more firepower could kickstart his defensive game once again.

The issue with Power would be his contract. In the first year of his seven-year, $58.45M deal, he comes at an average salary cap hit of $8.35M; a massive commitment and one Toronto has to be weary of, given they already have so much paid out to their blueline.

The Sabres aren't going to come away without some very important assets. No doubt Toronto's first round pick in 2026 and potentially 2027 is up for grabs as well as any other picks they want to dispose of.
They would need to cut salary, and there's no doubt that players like Nick Robertson, Ryan Reaves, Conor Timmins, Connor Dewar, and Max Domi could be on the outs; it kills Toronto's depth but they may have enough pieces to weather the storm (though they desperately need more scoring).

Owen Power would cost a king's ransom in a trade package, and while he would no doubt make the Maple Leafs better, it might be too pricey to justify.

But Brad Treliving has the chance to make a serious move that could shift the landscape of the Atlantic Division, much like Carolina did to the Metropolitan Division only a few days ago.