Leafs And Ducks Emerge As Trade Partners Following The Jacob Trouba Trade, Per Reporter

A lot of shock came out of New York when the Rangers traded their captain to the Anaheim Ducks in a stunning move that signaled a drastic shift in the mentality of GM Chris Drury.

However, as hasty a trade as it was, Trouba might not be done moving around just yet. According to polarizing Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, the Maple Leafs had interest in the defenseman and apparently, still do.

If Toronto was interested in Trouba it's hard not to see why, as the former Rangers captain fits perfectly within Craig Berube's system.

A no-nonsense, gritty defenseman who is known for throwing big hits and heavy fists, while also being a veteran leader on the ice.

This season Trouba has six assists in 24 games for the Rangers, and struggled mightily for the middling Rangers. He has averaged 33 points for his career, while adding an average of 176 blocks and 168 hits; a big checkmark for Berube's plans.

While Toronto hasn't been hurt too badly by the injury bug defensively, they are still without Jake McCabe who may be close to returning, however the team needs to have insurance in case a defender goes down again.

Trouba gives Toronto the defender Morgan Rielly needs, while not sacrificing the Chris Tanev and McCabe duo, but there is one caveat to Trouba coming over.

He does carry a big salary hit and if the Ducks aren't willing to eat a ton of money, there's a real tough chance Toronto can make the deal. He also comes with a lot of baggage and controversy, as he's known for his numerous suspensions over the years.

There's no denying a player like Trouba would help the Maple Leafs in their quest to win the Stanley Cup, however the financial and personal price tag attached to him might be too high a cost to pay.