Quiet Bidding War for Top-Six Centres Puts the Maple Leafs on the Clock
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, the market for a top-six center is heating up, which means the Maple Leafs have to prepare for a potential trade.
Although the team did great this offseason to add much more depth to their lineup, the Toronto Maple Leafs could always use a bit more punch up front.
However, with injury concerns and a lack of offense from some key contributors the Maple Leafs might be looking to improve up front, although a lack of premium assets may make that situation a little more difficult.
Why Rival Teams Are Driving Up the Price for Top Centres
They aren't the only team who is in the market to improve, as we've seen Montreal emerge as a serious contender for a top-six center, and according to one analyst; it's only going to heat up.
Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects recently revealed that this is the perfect year for any team to dangle a center, and the prices are going to be higher than ever:
Sources around the league say this is the best market in years for anyone dangling a top-six centre. The demand is huge, and the prices reflect it.
On an unrelated note, Nazem Kadri plays game No. 1000 next Wednesday.
On an unrelated note, Nazem Kadri plays game No. 1000 next Wednesday.
The funny little anecdote about Kadri also adds a lot more fuel to the fire knowing that he is potentially on the move if the Flames end up floundering this season.
How Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs Could Respond Before the Market Moves On
But it also spells a lot of bad news for the Maple Leafs if they are looking to make a deal considering they have minimal assets to get things done, and unless they want to completely mortgage their future; it's going to take a lot of creativity.
They can rid themselves of their last first-round pick, but again how well has that worked in the past? They could look to dangle someone like Easton Cowan, but as we've seen with Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin; he could flourish elsewhere.
Nick Robertson isn't going to bring that piece, and neither will David Kampf, so where the team goes in unknown. They might be able to find a buyer for Dennis Hildeby, but with injury concerns regarding Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz; they need stability.
Toronto would love to be able to add someone like Kadri however it's going to take a lot of work, and willing participants as not only does the forward need to agree to a deal but the fact it's Brad Treliving's old team doesn't play to their favor.
Getting a head start now would be a great idea, and there are already talks about the team trying to trade Robertson and Kampf, but their returns aren't going to be much, though may play into a deal down the road.
Whatever the case, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to keep their head on a swivel or they may find themselves stuck watching their rivals get even better.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 1 | 1310 ANSWERS Quiet Bidding War for Top-Six Centres Puts the Maple Leafs on the Clock Will Toronto end up making a trade for a top-six forward? | ||
| Yes | 886 | 67.6 % |
| No | 424 | 32.4 % |
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