Maple Leafs Told They Can't Win Without This Key Offseason Addition
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs were sent a strong message from fans, laying it out for them that they can't succeed unless they make one particular offseason acquisition.
While the team sets their sights on a roster without Mitch Marner, the Maple Leafs still have a ton of firepower available to them. It's not going to be easy, and fans are going to be vocal if the team falters even more than they already have.
Toronto Needs One Of Three Premium Players This Summer
Which is why they weren't shy about letting Brad Treliving and the organization know that unless they end up getting a premium center, the team is pretty much going to fail.
Signing either Sam Bennett, Brock Nelson, or Matt Duchene seems to be the one thing that will make Leafs fans feel like the offseason wasn't a complete disaster.
While we've heard a lot about Bennett in recent weeks, there seems to be a lot of competition with other teams, ones that can pay a lot of money for a long-time. While you can't argue with his playoff performance, is he worth the price?
With upwards of $10M floating around as a potential yearly salary, that's a lot to ask for a player who has never hit 60 points and won't replace the level of offense Toronto had with Marner.
But it's his intangibles and willingness to play dirty, play hard and show no remorse that entices Toronto. They haven't had that playoff x-factor, and Bennett is one of the best.
This season he not only scored his career high in points (51) but he's put in 14 points in 16 games (9G, 5A) and was a game changer in the second round against the Leafs; he knocked Anthony Stolarz out of the series with reckless abandon.
If Not Bennett, Do Brock Nelson And Matt Duchene Make Sense?
Given that Bennett doesn't necessarily want to play in Canada according to reports, they can shift their attention to Brock Nelson, who coming off a tough season in Colorado after being traded.
A consistent 30-35 goal scorer, Nelson could bring in a new dynamic to the team. They haven't had a potent goal scorer besides Auston Matthews and William Nylander, and if fans were worried about losing offense with Marner; Nelson fits in great.
He's scored 151 goals over the last five seasons, has only missed the 20-goal mark three times in his career, and is a sneaky good defender. He wins face-offs, can improve Toronto's power play immensely, and fits the size requirement.
Nelson is a bit pricey, and at $6M this season, if the Maple Leafs can sign him to something similar for the next 3 seasons, that would be great. Anything more might be an overpayment, especially for a 33-year old.
Plus it would allow Nelson to play with fellow Team USA teammate in Matthews, and former teammate John Tavares (if he re-signs) and if fans were worried about his playoff production; he has 54 points in 82 games.
That's on par with the Core 4's numbers in the playoffs, and with a chance to win in Toronto he should be open to the move.
Duchene on the other hand is fighting for a spot in the Cup with Dallas right now, and while he is a free agent, the Stars very well could re-sign him; especially if they move on and win.
Often overlooked compared to bigger names, Duchene has been as consistent as ever in his 16-year career.
He's only ever missed double digit goals once in his career, but that was due to a lot of injuries. Otherwise, he's been fantastic.
In his last five seasons, he's added 123 goals (including his injury filled season) with solid defense and face-off numbers. But it's his discipline and clutch factor that Toronto could utilize well (6 game winners this season, on par with Matthew Knies.
Duchene only made $3M this season, and should be due for an increase, but even paying him $15 over the next two; especially given his production, is a steal.
Do either of these three make the Maple Leafs contenders? No, but it gives them a great leg up.
But does Toronto want to commit to a potential aging player, when they have the world's best waiting for them in 2026.
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 456 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Told They Can't Win Without This Key Offseason Addition Who should the Maple Leafs sign? | ||
| Brock Nelson | 74 | 16.2 % |
| Sam Bennett | 256 | 56.1 % |
| Matt Duchene | 42 | 9.2 % |
| None of the Above | 84 | 18.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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