Perfect Trade Target Emerges for Maple Leafs as Canadian Rival Grows Desperate for Help
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A new report from David Pagnotta shows that the Vancouver Canucks are desperate to add some bottom-six help which means Toronto can help them out in a big way.
As the Maple Leafs look towards the regular season, there is still a ton of discussion around whether to not the team is able to make a deal for one of their bottom-six forwards in order to add some cap space and lessen the logjam up front.
While there have been no buyers, the team has been kicking the tires recently and are clearly trying their best to find a team who is willing to take on either David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, or Nick Robertson.
Why the Vancouver Canucks Are Searching for Forward Depth
It's not going to be easy due to several different factors, however a new report from NHL Insider David Pagnotta shows they may have a potential interested party.
Appearing on the Hello Hockey podcast, Pagnotta explained the Vancouver Canucks are trying to find a way to improve their bottom-six which is great news for the Maple Leafs:
I do think the Canucks...are going to start just looking around for a mid six, bottom six type of forward; they started poking around, I think they'll escalate that a little bit.
The team could use a boost especially down the middle as currently it looks like Aatu Raty is their fourth-line center; and could use some extra help on the wings.
Raty is decent but only had his first real season with the Canucks last season, and if the team is going to compete in the fairly wide open Pacific Division; they need some actual experience.
Linus Karlsson and Drew O'Connor are decent enough but in the case of the former he isn't that experienced yet and could be much better as a depth option meanwhile O'Connor doesn't play up to his size and the team could use a better defensive upgrade.
Could Jarnkrok, Robertson, or Kampf Fit the Maple Leafs-Canucks Trade Picture?
Which is fantastic if you're Brad Treliving, who has been on the lookout for a team willing to take on any of his lingering contracts and there's an argument that any of the three could be a great investment for Vancouver.
Starting off with the biggest elephant in the room, David Kampf.
He would be a fourth-liner in Vancouver and at his salary it's hard to justify however he would give the team a huge boost defensively and give their third-ranked PK an even more dangerous addition.
They can't expect much offense out of him, but he certainly has the tools to give them what they need in the bottom six.
Kampf, 30, added 13 points in 59 games last season (5 goals, 8 assists) while winning over 50% of his face-offs, though was still a minus-1.
Jarnkrok is older and coming off surgery last year, however offers a lot more versatility in terms of positioning and can actually slide anywhere in the lineup.
Plus at his bargain cost ($775k) he would provide a great spark to the bottom six in either a winger or center role, and if given players like Kiefer Sherwood to protect him; it could pay off big.
Jarnkrok only skated in 19 games last year with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) after recovering from sports hernia surgery.
However the biggest fish would be Robertson, who at only 24 still has a ton of untapped potential and is looking for a change of scenery.
His spot in the lineup isn't secured in Toronto, and Vancouver could capitalize on his desire for more playing time while also adding someone with their prime years ahead of them.
Robertson did set a career-high with 15 goals last year but added only seven assists and was incredibly inconsistent throughout the entire season.
Vancouver can benefit from all three players depending on how Patrik Allvin wants to structure his team, but more importantly it finally gives Brad Treliving a chance to get rid of some much maligned deals.
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