After stealing away Dakota Joshua last season, the Maple Leafs have a second chance to add another power forward to their lineup as Vancouver continues to struggle.
It's no secret that the Vancouver Canucks have been a team that have struggled heavily over the past few seasons. Ever since the Sedin's left town, things have fallen apart in quick fashion.
They're in the basement on the NHL with a 3-14-1 record and don't look like they're going to improve anytime soon.
The Maple Leafs on the other hand are doing alright, but not as great as some fans had hoped given their slew of changes this summer. They are still missing that one key bottom-six scoring option who can strike a bit more fear into their opponents.
Maple Leafs have a chance to steal another power forward from Vancouver
Well, with the Canucks struggling and the Maple Leafs looking to improve, the two can come together and make a deal that brings Toronto yet another power forward from Vancouver - this time being Drew O'Connor.
O'Connor is a name that hasn't really been brought up much in terms of trade rumours, however The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta does have a belief that he's a name who will have some eyes on him as the season progresses:
Another name, Drew O'Connor, is gonna be an interesting guy to keep tabs on throughout the season for other clubs.
O'Connor is a hulking 6-foot-4, 205 pound power forward who has a pretty solid scoring touch while adding some physicality and more than serviceable defense. He's not a flashy player, but he gets the job done.
Last season he put up 17 goals and 29 points, sitting third on the team in goals and seventh in points. While that is a product of a bad Canucks team, it can't be overstated that he's proven to be a reliable contributor.
Also, he's one of the faster players in the league, finishing in the 79th percentile last season in max skating speed (22.79 MPH) and sits in the 96th percentile this season (23.28 MPH) so if Toronto wants to get even faster he's a great target.
He has five points in 18 games this year along with 11 blocks and 23 hits, which aren't exactly eye-popping numbers but remember who he plays for. If he were in a better spot such as Toronto - he could become a breakout candidate.
O'Connor is John Chayka's low-risk, high-reward bottom-six piece
Much like the team did with Dakota Joshua last summer, they have a shot at taking a proven middle-to-bottom six lineup piece and giving him a place to shine. Also much like Joshua, he probably won't cost nearly as much either.
Toronto won't need to trade away top prospects or picks for a chance to bring him in, and depending on if Vancouver prefers picks or players really depends on what goes back.
A deal involving a third or fourth round pick wouldn't be an issue for either team, and even if they send a low-tier prospect like Borya Valis or Brendan Brisson then it could be enough.
It's not like the two teams won't do business, as they worked out a deal earlier this year that sent Aatu Raty to Toronto while Vancouver got Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr.
Obviously these are deals that aren't meant to blow the league apart, but instead address needs. O'Connor would be a replacement over Vinni Lettieri as well as other potential call-ups meanwhile Vancouver gets younger and add more assets.
But it's a deal that works for both sides, so don't be surprised if it happens.
Does Drew O'Connor make sense as a target for the Maple Leafs?
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