'Open for Business': A Rival GM Just Sent a Message the Maple Leafs Can't Ignore
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, GM Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues is 'open for business' and the Toronto Maple Leafs are ready to make a deal.
The St. Louis Blues are having a tough season right now. While they had high hopes after a playoff push last season, this year has shown mixed results and led to a bit of locker room tension as the team scratched star forward Jordan Kyrou.
The team has been brought up recently in terms of a potential trade, and they hold some veterans that contenders would love such as Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk and Pavel Buchnevich.
Inside the Insider Tip That One NHL GM Is Ready to Start Moving Pieces
Unless things turn around the team is likely going to at least deal one of them and according to one insider -- they are ready to start talking.
Per Frank Seravalli, who was appearing on the Big Show with Rusic and Rose, Blues GM Doug Armstrong is looking to facilitate a trade or two and has let other teams know that he is ready to do business so long as the price is right:
The message that's been delivered to every other team in the league by their GM...is 'we're open for business.' They are ready to make a move.
It's a huge turnaround from Armstrong, who normally seems quite hesitant to get rid of his players unless he finds a suitable deal. But contenders are going to start knocking with the knowledge he wants to work together and the Toronto Maple Leafs need to be front and center.
Why This Could Directly Affect the Maple Leafs' Next Big Decision
With the potential to have David Kampf's salary come off their books, that opens up some room for the Maple Leafs to make a deal, and if they can find other ways to get some financial help; it'll only boost their chances.
The team is at an impasse though. Right now, they would love to add Schenn because of his history with Craig Berube, skillset, and playoff acumen however their logjam up front makes it hard to fit him in.
On the flip side, the team has dealt with some bad luck to their defensive corps with Philippe Myers and Dakota Mermis being below average and Chris Tanev's continuing injury issues.
Going after Faulk makes a lot of sense then, as he offers both a defensive alternative to Myers and Mermis, but can also bring the offense and has a chance to help their backend in multiple ways.
Both men make the same amount of money and both have 15-team no trade clauses, so getting them to agree to go to Toronto in the first place is the first step.
The Maple Leafs are likely going to miss out on acquiring someone like Nazem Kadri, as they lack the assets and other teams could outbid them easily.
But if they are proactive and get in Doug Armstrong's ear soon enough, they may be able to get a head start and leave their rivals scrambling to catch up which could very well lead to their eventual downfall.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 9 | 1348 ANSWERS 'Open for Business': A Rival GM Just Sent a Message the Maple Leafs Can't Ignore Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should make a trade with the St. Louis Blues? | ||
| Yes | 1053 | 78.1 % |
| No | 295 | 21.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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