Maple Leafs Reportedly Have Opportunity to Trade for Ideal John Tavares Replacement
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could end up moving on from John Tavares this summer and could replace him with pending RFA Marco Rossi per Michael Russo.
As the team decides whether or not they are going to move on from John Tavares or not, they could take a look at a much younger upgrade in Marco Rossi, who is reportedly being shopped around by Minnesota.
Marco Rossi available for trade: Michael Russo
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, it seems that Rossi and the Wild are at an impasse wit ha potential extension, and with an offer sheet a real possibility; he could be let go:
He is ineligible for salary arbitration, which would have provided a one- or two-year term, but is eligible to sign an offer sheet with 31 other teams as early as July 1.
So there is a pressure point for the Wild to potentially trade Rossi if a contract isn't agreed upon this month.
«There clearly is a difference of opinion with respect to Marco's value,» Rossi's agent, Ian Pulver, told The Athletic on Sunday. «We will continue in good faith to engage the Wild to attempt to reach resolution.
We understand that Billy likes Marco, but for how much? And in what role going forward? (That) is the subject of great debate.
«Like the Wild, we believe we have advanced very fair and reasonable contract proposals. What the future holds for Marco and the Wild, only time will tell.»
That doesn't seem like great news for the Wild as they would love to keep one of their rising stars, however the optics don't look good.
Rossi, 23, would be a massive addition to the team not only because he would add some much needed youth to a relatively older squad, but his emergence over the past two seasons has shown his incredible offensive potential.
This season he exploded for 60 points in 82 games (24G, 36A) while also adding 16 of those points on the power play, and winning 47% of his face-offs.
He'll grow in that regard, and playing with some of the Maple Leafs scorers could drive his point total even higher, and if he gets placed with William Nylander; he could very well finish with 80+ points.
Not your typical center at only 5'9, Rossi uses his speed and quick hands to disrupt opponents instead of being a towering player, though he doesn't really fit the Treliving vibe.
Neither did Nick Robertson though, and Rossi would no doubt prove to both Treliving and Craig Berube that the size of his heart matters more than his body.
But acquiring him won't be easy, nor cheap. If the Wild want a return similar to the one they got for Kevin Fiala (Brock Faber and a first-rounder), then Toronto is going to need to break the bank a bit.
Perhaps a deal involving defenseman Noah Chadwick, Miroslav Holinka's signing rights, and this year's 3rd and 5th rounders might be enough to sway GM Bill Guerin.
It gives Minnesota capital to use at the draft to select players or trade for others, plus Chadwick and Holinka are filled with potential and are perfect fits in the Minnesota system along with Zeev Buium and the continued growth of Faber.
It definitely won't be easy, and there's certainly a lot of other business ventures the Leafs need to focus on.
But if they decide to move on from John Tavares, they've got his replacement just waiting for his chance.
So there is a pressure point for the Wild to potentially trade Rossi if a contract isn't agreed upon this month.
«There clearly is a difference of opinion with respect to Marco's value,» Rossi's agent, Ian Pulver, told The Athletic on Sunday. «We will continue in good faith to engage the Wild to attempt to reach resolution.
We understand that Billy likes Marco, but for how much? And in what role going forward? (That) is the subject of great debate.
«Like the Wild, we believe we have advanced very fair and reasonable contract proposals. What the future holds for Marco and the Wild, only time will tell.»
That doesn't seem like great news for the Wild as they would love to keep one of their rising stars, however the optics don't look good.
Toronto needs to capitalize on Minnesota's desperation
Rossi, 23, would be a massive addition to the team not only because he would add some much needed youth to a relatively older squad, but his emergence over the past two seasons has shown his incredible offensive potential.
This season he exploded for 60 points in 82 games (24G, 36A) while also adding 16 of those points on the power play, and winning 47% of his face-offs.
He'll grow in that regard, and playing with some of the Maple Leafs scorers could drive his point total even higher, and if he gets placed with William Nylander; he could very well finish with 80+ points.
Not your typical center at only 5'9, Rossi uses his speed and quick hands to disrupt opponents instead of being a towering player, though he doesn't really fit the Treliving vibe.
Neither did Nick Robertson though, and Rossi would no doubt prove to both Treliving and Craig Berube that the size of his heart matters more than his body.
But acquiring him won't be easy, nor cheap. If the Wild want a return similar to the one they got for Kevin Fiala (Brock Faber and a first-rounder), then Toronto is going to need to break the bank a bit.
Perhaps a deal involving defenseman Noah Chadwick, Miroslav Holinka's signing rights, and this year's 3rd and 5th rounders might be enough to sway GM Bill Guerin.
It gives Minnesota capital to use at the draft to select players or trade for others, plus Chadwick and Holinka are filled with potential and are perfect fits in the Minnesota system along with Zeev Buium and the continued growth of Faber.
It definitely won't be easy, and there's certainly a lot of other business ventures the Leafs need to focus on.
But if they decide to move on from John Tavares, they've got his replacement just waiting for his chance.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 475 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Reportedly Have Opportunity to Trade for Ideal John Tavares Replacement Do you think John Tavares will re-sign or should Toronto replace him with Marco Rossi? | ||
| Re-sign him he's crucial! | 381 | 80.2 % |
| Rossi all the way! | 94 | 19.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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