New Update Regarding Former First Round Pick Spells Great News For Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
A new update from NHL Insider David Pagnotta brings good news for the Toronto Maple Leafs if they wanted to add a young forward to their top-six.
The regular season is in full swing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and they are having a pretty up and down season thus far. They have two dominant wins but were also swept by Detroit in their home-at-home.
The scoring has been a pleasant surprise as we are getting goals from both the depth players and the defense, something that otherwise had been a rarity in recent years.
But there is still room for improvement and while Easton Cowan makes a perfect fit on the top line, there's still some questions about John Tavares and William Nylander's partner, and who best would fit there.
Insider Reports Chicago Shopping Former First Round Pick
Well a new update from NHL Insider David Pagnotta has the potential answer.
According to Pagnotta, the Chicago Blackhawks and Lukas Reichel have fallen out and the forward is looking for a chance to showcase his talents elsewhere, and the Blackhawks seem to be willing to listen:
I mean, best-case scenario, it works out, he stays, and he earns a top-six role with that club.
But there is frustration from the player, I can tell you that with certainty. For him to go out there and perform well last night, I think it's more of a, 'See, I'm able to do this. Get me out of here. Let me get another opportunity somewhere else.'
But there is frustration from the player, I can tell you that with certainty. For him to go out there and perform well last night, I think it's more of a, 'See, I'm able to do this. Get me out of here. Let me get another opportunity somewhere else.'
Pagnotta did also note that while there is nothing currently in the works, Reichel has done his best to raise his stock, and that could help him find a new spot quickly:
There's been, to my knowledge, no trade requestsno formal one anyway. But I do think he's open to a change of scenery based on how they've kind of viewed him, especially in camp.
There has been a lot of interest in this player, a decent amount of interest in this player. But nobody's willing to pay a premium or a decent price for somebody that's not achieving.
So, I think he did himself some favors, at least in rejuvenating some of those talks and some of the interests. Everyone's kind of been waiting to see him and his camp or just waiting to see what's going to happen here.
I think yesterday's performance may speed things up.
There has been a lot of interest in this player, a decent amount of interest in this player. But nobody's willing to pay a premium or a decent price for somebody that's not achieving.
So, I think he did himself some favors, at least in rejuvenating some of those talks and some of the interests. Everyone's kind of been waiting to see him and his camp or just waiting to see what's going to happen here.
I think yesterday's performance may speed things up.
Reichel, 23, has 57 points in 171 games and draws very similar parallels to Toronto's Nick Robertson, and with both men wanting a change of scenery, perhaps there is something there.
Toronto Should Swap One Young Star For Another
Toronto can part ways with Robertson, a player who they have recently been trying to wash their hands of, and bring in someone who actually can fit into the top-six.
He can play both winger and center, is a solid defender, and already has a connection to the team as his uncle Robert Reichel is a former member of the Maple Leafs.
Plus, you want to talk a perfect Craig Berube fit? Reichel loves to forecheck and uses his engine to constantly pest opponents; that's exactly what the second line needs.
Let's take a look at what a lineup with Reichel would look like:
Knies - Matthews - Cowan
Reichel - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Roy - Maccelli
Joshua - Domi - Jarnkrok
Reichel - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Roy - Maccelli
Joshua - Domi - Jarnkrok
That gives the second line the piece they need, or if Craig Berube wanted; move him to the third line for Bobby McMann and put both him and Maccelli out there and really give them a chance to build some chemistry.
Lastly, he only makes $1.2-million and is a restricted free agent who would more likely sign for a better deal than Robertson, and is already cheaper.
So for the Toronto Maple Leafs, they need to keep an ear out for any rumblings of Reichel getting offers because if Brad Treliving really wants to improve, he should add the former first round pick to his roster.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 17|942 ANSWERS New Update Regarding Former First Round Pick Spells Great News For Maple Leafs Should the Maple Leafs trade for Lukas Reichel? | ||
| Yes | 421 | 44.7 % |
| No | 521 | 55.3 % |
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