Jeff Marek confirmed the Toronto Maple Leafs' trade plans to acquire a defender and explained that it was in the works since even before Chris Tanev got hurt.
Chris Tanev's injury has caused some serious concern for the Maple Leafs as they are without their top shutdown defender for the foreseeable future. They are potentially going to look internally for help with players like Ben Danford, but there is also the trade market they could peruse.
Zach Whitecloud is a name who keeps popping up in rumours and while he would be a solid replacement for Tanev, he isn't that minutes-cruncher and top blue liner they need. Right now, it seems like things are going to get a little tougher going forward - but there may be a solution.
Toronto is looking to improve their defense, not just replace Chris Tanev
According to Jeff Marek, the Maple Leafs are still keenly interested in adding a defenseman to improve things on the back end and explained that this was an issue before Tanev's injury, which also may put trade urgency into a new light:
I think they were in the market for another defenseman even before the Chris Tanev injury.
It's no secret that the Maple Leafs' biggest weakness is their defensive corps. While they have some solid names like Jake McCabe who is a steady and consistent asset, or Troy Stecher who has been a bulldog since the start of the season. But otherwise? Unspectacular.
Morgan Rielly hasn't done enough on offense to justify his defensive collapses, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is pointless, already hurting, and not the defensive stalwart he has been the past two years, Nick Blankenburg just found himself in the lineup, and Darren Raddysh is doing fine - but not $68M contract worthy.
Should Toronto make a trade or explore internal options?
Well considering the team already did try an internal option with Marshall Rifai and it didn't go splendidly, then perhaps a trade may do. But instead of getting too hasty, the team should be patient and wait to see what Ben Danford can offer.
While he's dealing with a minor injury, he isn't expected to miss any length of time. He is worth giving a look because he offers a similar style to Tanev while also providing the team with more mobility and puck-movement - he isn't just a one-trick pony.
Saving assets for a bigger trade down the line is a much safer option for John Chayka and the Maple Leafs, but we all know that Chayka has an itchy trigger finger so who knows, a trade could be right around the corner.
It's best now to be patient and see what other internal options like Danford can offer, but if he isn't the solution then the team may have no choice but to add someone outside the organization.
Do you think the Maple Leafs should make a trade to acquire a defenseman?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs have a chance to add a first-round pick to the blue line via waivers