Maple Leafs Warned About Targeting Rangers Center in Surprise Trade Scenario
Photo credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
While the Maple Leafs have some interest in acquiring New York's Mika Zibanejad, they should probably avoid doing so given their change in mentality.
There's a lot to be said for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their offseason plans this summer. They are going to lose Mitch Marner, they want to instil a winning culture, and add some new DNA to a team that has spun their wheels for the last decade.
One way they can get their wheels moving forward is by making some trades, and one particular name that has come up is Mika Zibanejad.
Mika Zibanejad's trade potential heating up: The Athletic
According to a new article from Arthur Staple of The Athletic, it seems that GM Chris Drury has informed Zibanejad that his days might be numbered, and he mentions the Maple Leafs have some interest:
There's a chance that Drury has already worked it out with Zibanejad, who has five years at $8.5 million average annual value remaining plus a full no-movement clause, that moving on would be best.
They'd still need to find a fit; the Leafs might have some interest and some space to fill. But trading Kreider's BFF so soon after dealing Kreider would produce the impact on cap flexibility and team culture that Drury wants so bad. - Arthur Staple
They'd still need to find a fit; the Leafs might have some interest and some space to fill. But trading Kreider's BFF so soon after dealing Kreider would produce the impact on cap flexibility and team culture that Drury wants so bad. - Arthur Staple
It wouldn't be surprising to see Toronto try and add him, given his offensive potential as we touched on earlier.
But is he actually a good fit for the Maple Leafs?
Mika doesn't match: Toronto's new identity means they need to avoid Zibanejad
While adding a former 40-goal scorer who could help you in the playoffs is certainly not a bad call, the type of player Zibanejad is doesn't necessarily conduct itself well to Craig Berube's style.
He certainly enjoys playing fast, but he needs to play a more brutal north-south style of game, and his defense and forechecking ability was under par this season.
It also has seemed to divide fans, as some are saying they don't need another expensive player who doesn't have 'the passion', while others seem genuinely excited to potentially bring him along.
Zibanejad has the offensive chops to help the team and would be ideally Toronto's 2C, but with other signings to focus on, and a ton of cap already put aside for an aging defensive corps, adding a player who's contract will be up when he's 36.
Toronto already has the oldest roster in the league, and they are going to only get older and older as each year passes; he's too expensive and there's a chance he regresses in that span and it's a waste of money.
Zibanejad, 32, has 740 points (314G, 426A) in 930 career games split with Ottawa and the Rangers.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 14 | 374 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Warned About Targeting Rangers Center in Surprise Trade Scenario Do you think the Maple Leafs should avoid trading for Mika Zibanejad? | ||
| Yes | 256 | 68.4 % |
| No | 118 | 31.6 % |
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