Maple Leafs Urged to Pursue Star Forward From Struggling Team in Offseason Shakeup

While Brad Treliving made some pretty solid acquisitions this season, there's still some work that can be done when it comes to the lineup.

When you take into consideration all the changes it's hard to figure out where he can improve. The defense and goaltending is locked up, and with their future contracts all but figured out, where do they go from here?

Potentially taking a look at a team who needs to shake things up.

It looks like yet again the LA Kings have been unable to get past the first round against Edmonton, and the fact remains that something will need to change in California.

While it would be a bit crazy to see them trade away such young talent like Byfield, there's nothing to say that Kempe, Foegele or Fiala won't find themselves out in the offseason.

All three are in the prime years of their career, and can all offer something different to the team. Kempe would be an offensive juggernaut and would help ease the pain of a Mitch Marner-less situation. He had 73 points in 81 games (35G, 38A) and can add a lot of physicality to Toronto's top six; he's signed for $5.5M for next year.

Foegele adds a ton of versatility and can be used both offensively and defensively. Scoring a career-high 24 goals this year, he would easily add much needed punch to Toronto's second or third line, and can offer a bevy of skills; he can win face-offs, hit, block shots, play the PK, he can do it all.

Foegele is making $3.5M for the next few seasons and would be a very solid investment for Brad Treliving, and wouldn't necessarily cost a fortune, especially if the team is looking to shift gears.

The biggest caveat here is Fiala, who makes an astounding $7.875M for the next three years; it's a lot of money committed to a player who took a step back this season, but can offer a lot too.

He's more or less a Mitch Marner lite, as he's a very good playmaker, solid defender and he can score in bunches. However, he's also regressing from his output in Nashville, and while he is still putting together a very good run, who's to say that it would continue, especially with the added pressure to perform.

Scoring 60 points in 81 games isn't terrible but he is only three seasons removed from an 85-point explosion in 2021-22. It's a lot of money for an unsure thing.

But this is where Brad Treliving and company work their magic. They restocked their farm system this year in the hopes of adding the next big star to the team.

Though he might find himself trading them away if he can secure an NHL-ready star now.