The Toronto Maple Leafs only need to look across the border for help to replace John Tavares at 2C as Buffalo's Ryan McLeod seems to be the perfect fit.
As the Maple Leafs continue to monitor deals they could be interested in this season, they have been attached to pretty much every rumour that's floated about. From Simon Edvinsson to Nikita Kucherov, it seems everyone is involved in some way, shape, or form.
However there is another player who could be a fantastic addition to the team and be the one to replace John Tavares now and down the line as the team's new 2C.
The Sabres' latest roster move gives Toronto their ideal trade target
They don't even have to look far either, as they just have to glance down the QEW to Buffalo - an unlikely source if there ever is one.
The Sabres recently just scratched Ryan McLeod, with no injuries or anything to be concerned of. This healthy scratch for a talented two-way centre isn't exactly great news for him, but it is for the Maple Leafs.
McLeod, 27, has struggled this season with only three points in 15 games but has averaged 13 goals and 36 points while also providing above average defense, great face-off metrics, and his career xGF far outweighs his xGA.
Yes he's struggling this year, but he's also someone who has proven to be a reliable piece, and considering that he was overshadowed in Edmonton, came into Buffalo with a chip on his shoulder, and now is scratched after a rough start - he's hungry to prove people wrong.
Toronto's path to acquire McLeod isn't as hard as you'd think
What better way to do that than to join one of your current team's biggest rivals? What makes things much easier too for the Leafs is the fact that McLeod's trade protection doesn't kick in until next year.
That means if the Maple Leafs really wanted him, they could much easier convince the Sabres to part ways especially if he's not being used or they've given up on him.
He makes only $5M and is signed until 2030, so that's a very reasonable deal especially for a 27-year-old who is a two-way threat.
The package to acquire him won't take a ton ether, and Toronto should be able to avoid trading their first-rounder from Colorado, as a package of other prospects or NHL-ready players with a couple mid-tier picks should be enough to convince Buffalo.
Is it the perfect solution, or that blockbuster deal that John Chayka wants to make? Perhaps not, but it's a smart move that sets Toronto up now and later on. Sometimes you don't need to make a splash to make an impact - and McLeod would be Toronto's prime example.
Do you think Ruan McLeod makes sense as a replacement for John Tavares?
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