Fraser Minten leading the Bruins' top line is the Maple Leafs' worst-case trade scenario come to life
Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Fraser Minten earned top-line billing ahead of the game against the Maple Leafs and Toronto's worst nightmare has officially come true - they lost a future star with nothing left to show for it.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Minten to the Bruins at last year's deadline, there was still some questions about what exactly his ceiling was. He could be a middle-six beast, or turn out to be a defensive-first forward; both still great options for Boston.
However no one expected the type of season he's put in and since being entrusted to help the offence, he's been garnering a lot of attention. January's Rookie of the Month has continued his tear with 31 points and a staggering plus-22 in 70 games.
Why Fraser Minten's rise to the first-line is Toronto's absolute worst nightmare
Well, as bad as that looks for the Maple Leafs, it's what went down in Bruins practice that shows Toronto not only let a potential future piece go; but one that could be their first-line centre:
Khusnutdinov-Minten-Pastrnak
Mittelstadt-Zacha-Arvidsson
Reichel-Lindholm-Geekie
Eyssimont-Kuraly-Kastelic
Mittelstadt-Zacha-Arvidsson
Reichel-Lindholm-Geekie
Eyssimont-Kuraly-Kastelic
Wow, would you look at that. Not only is Minten getting first-line minutes but gets the chance to show David Pastrnak exactly what he can do. It's not like 'Pasta' needs the help as he has 86 points in 65 games (28 goals, 58 assists) but knowing that Minten can both score and pass - the world is his oyster.
Meanwhile, Toronto is using a 35-year old John Tavares to anchor the middle because Auston Matthews is out. You have to wonder why the Maple Leafs dumped Minten, and knowing just how bad Brandon Carlo has been...this might be the worst trade the team has made in a long, long time.
We touched earlier on the centre depth too. Nothing against Jacob Quillan or Bo Groulx (both who are going to be factors going forward) but adding Minten; a player who does literally everything on the ice, would have been a huge boost.
'The Victory Trap': Why Toronto can't get too geared up to take on the Bruins
But with Boston staring directly at a pretty easy win all things considered, that's not exactly guaranteed. Toronto hates Boston and Boston hates Toronto. The Maple Leafs could feel extra motivated to stick it to their heated rivals but in doing so would only be playing right into their hands.
If I were Boston and head coach Marco Sturm, I'd do everything in my power to just...not play. Let Toronto win, because it drives you one step closer to making their lives even more miserable come May 5th.
However, if you're Toronto you probably need to keep the foot off the gas too. Craig Berube be damned, but the Maple Leafs can't afford to be playing for pride and pushing hard. If they do, they'll push themselves right out of a draft spot.
Granted, Boston has been dominant this season going 2-0-0 with 10 goals for vs. Toronto so hopefully that trend can continue for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
Losing Fraser Minten is a hard pill to swallow, but letting him beat you up is a lot more palatable than letting him and the Bruins get a better chance at winning the draft.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Dach, Guhle, Reinbacher named in the leaked Matthew Knies trade rumor with Toronto
Dach, Guhle, Reinbacher named in the leaked Matthew Knies trade rumor with Toronto
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 24|1187 ANSWERS Fraser Minten leading the Bruins' top line is the Maple Leafs' worst-case trade scenario come to life Is the Fraser Minten trade the worst trade Brad Treliving has made with the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 1064 | 89.6 % |
| No | 123 | 10.4 % |
| List of polls | ||