Maple Leafs Reportedly One of 10 Teams Eyeing Top-Six Forward
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to a new report from Frank Seravalli, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of several teams fighting to add a premium top-six forward to their lineup.
It's no secret that Brad Treliving is working diligently to try and bring a top-six presence to the Maple Leafs to try and replace at least some of the lost offense due to Mitch Marner's departure.
Linked from everyone from Nazem Kadri to Jordan Kyrou to Brayden Schenn, the list of names seems to grow by the day, and with fans expecting a big splash to be made, they are eagerly anticipating what the Leafs GM has up his sleeve.
Toronto has stiff competition in the trade market
However, according to Frank Seravalli, if the team wants to add a big name to their roster, they are going to be facing some stiff competition from a third of the NHL:
Still in the market, still in the mix for a top six forward: Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Flames, Canucks, Rangers, Devils, Capitals, Blues, Kraken and Kings.
It's not too shocking to see some of the teams on the list like the Leafs, Devils, Rangers, and Capitals but it's also interesting to see teams like Detroit and Seattle in the mix as well, given their position as rebuilding squads.
Of the teams listed, the Flames, Canucks, Rangers, Blues and Kraken all have top-six options who might be getting a new change of scenery, and there's a chance that these teams can make swaps with each other to give them what they need.
What Toronto can do to acquire top-six forward
So if the Maple Leafs want to add someone big to their top-six it's going to end up costing them, and given they have a true lack of assets beyond Ben Danford and Easton Cowan, it might not be enough.
But if the team can sell teams on someone like Nick Robertson, and perhaps a prospect like William Villeneuve and/or Dennis Hildeby, it might be enough to sway a rebuilding team to part with a veteran star.
Take a team like Pittsburgh. They may be willing to part with someone like a Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell for the right price, and to add a young promising goaltender and fitter top-six player is enticing.
It's not perfect, and the logistics behind a deal are more complex and complicated than we can ever imagine.
But a deal needs to get done, and Toronto is hoping they can take the first shot, before they may not even get a chance to at all.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 16 | 1373 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Reportedly One of 10 Teams Eyeing Top-Six Forward Do you think the Maple Leafs will end up bringing in a top-six forward? | ||
| Yes | 970 | 70.6 % |
| No | 403 | 29.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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