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Maple Leafs miss out on golden opportunity to improve team
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
With Mason Marchment making a real impact in his first game with the Columbus Blue Jackets, it looks like the Maple Leafs missed out on really adding to their team.
Right before the NHL roster freeze, the Seattle Kraken dealt Mason Marchment to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for two draft picks. It was a move that gave the Kraken some retooling pieces, and gave the Blue Jackets a great secondary scoring piece.
He made an impact right away too, scoring in his first game with the club, and hasn't let up either with a multi-goal game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Suffice it to say, the Blue Jackets are certainly reaping the rewards of Marchment, and even though he's a free agent at the end of the year, if he keeps up this pace the team will likely try and keep him around.
Toronto's inaction cost them real improvement
Marchment is a player who often doesn't get a lot of attention but has been one of the more reliable and consistent two-way forwards in the league. A multi-time 20-goal scorer, he's someone who can give you offense, defense, physicality, and a whole lot of heart.
That would have worked perfectly in the Maple Leafs' top-six, as it seems they have missed out on truly adding someone who can make a difference. Right now they are stuck with guys like Max Domi; who are getting paid nearly as much as Marchment and getting barely any of the same results.
In fact, Marchment has scored more goals in his last two games than Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and Domi combined. He'd also be tied with Knies for fifth in goals.
Hey Brad, stop waiting and do something
Even with Toronto in a desperate situation, Brad Treliving refused to pull the trigger on a deal because the team either a) didn't have enough assets or b) felt Marchment wasn't enough.
It's a wonder though why Toronto wouldn't want to add Marchment. This is a team who has been looking to improve their forward group for awhile now, and when they had the perfect opportunity, they couldn't splurge with a couple later picks.
It's another case of Toronto sitting on their hands and trying to make a perfect deal instead of a deal that would help them. It's something that's constantly frustrated fans and shows no signs of slowing down.
So while the team takes a look at what they can do next: be it a coach firing, another trade, or simply do nothing at all, one thing is clear.
Their inaction cost them Mason Marchment, who is finding himself quite comfortable in Columbus.