Maple Leafs acquire John Tavares replacement from the Canadiens in unexpected trade proposal

Toronto can add its John Tavares replacement and a future lineup staple by acquiring Alex Newhook in a deal that gives Montreal's future a big leg up.

Right now, the Maple Leafs are dealing with a questionable injury to John Tavares. The injury itself isn't the question but rather his recovery time. He's listed as week-to-week which could lead to a maximum of six weeks, and with Toronto already falling behind early - they can't afford to waste time.

So then the question of whether or not to make a trade emerges, and while the team is hesitant to give up any premium assets unless they feel compelled to, there does come a time where you need to decide whether to keep pushing, or pack it in.

Habs and Leafs could pull of a trade to give Toronto their Tavares replacement

With Toronto not wanting to pack it in after so many changes this offseason, a trade may be in the works and they could bring in someone to help replace Tavares now and in the future - from their most bitter rivals:

You might hear Alex Newhook's name pop up every now and again depending on what they end up doing; I don't think it's their desire to make anything happen in that regard, but other teams are gonna ask about certain players.

David Pagnotta brought up Montreal Canadiens centre Alex Newhook as a potential trade candidate depending on if the team wants to re-sign him after this year or let him walk as a free agent.

It certainly won't stop teams from asking and the Canadiens would be privy to get a return for him if they aren't going to keep him.

Newhook, 25, has four points in eight games this season and has career totals of 71 goals and 155 points in 346 games. Yes he's not as offensively impressive as Tavares, he does provide reliability, physicality, and a high level of defense.

He isn't as elite in the face-off dot as Tavares which may draw some concerns, but the team already has a slew of guys who can take important face-offs in the wake of Tavares' absence like Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, and Teddy Blueger.

What Toronto sends to Montreal for Newhook

The Maple Leafs are going to need to pay a bit of a premium for Newhook given his age, and depending on how badly the Canadiens want to keep him, but a futures package with some NHL help right now could be the best way to do it:

To Montreal:

(F) Miles Wood
(D) Marshall Rifai
2027 2nd-round Pick (TOR)
2029 3rd-round Pick (TOR)

To Toronto:

(C) Alex Newhook

While this looks like an overpayment it really isn't. Wood hasn't factored into the lineup in Toronto but could be a speedy and gritty bottom six forward for Montreal. Rifai isn't getting a shot in Toronto either, and he could provide some more toughness to the lineup - though keep him away from the Xhekaj's or they might fight.

The two draft picks aren't going to factor in for the Maple Leafs right now as they aren't focused on adding through the draft, and as John Chayka said: You have to give quality to get quality.

Newhook may not move the needle as much as Tavares but in a time where Toronto needs a steady hand and there's some uncertainty in La Belle Province - the two teams could make a rare deal to better themselves now and in the future.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs enter trade talks involving the two best defensemen on the market