The Maple Leafs lineup with McKenna creates one forced trade that Chayka cannot avoid this offseason
Photo credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward lines aren't solved with potentially adding Gavin McKenna as there still needs to be a replacement for John Tavares.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs able to potentially add a major top-six asset in Gavin McKenna (or Ivar Stenberg), Toronto has solved a need for more offense, but still has more left to do to fill our their four forward lines.
McKenna gives Toronto another top-six left winger to park behind Matthew Knies, but Toronto has more questions marks beyond their top forwards, specifically in the bottom six.
Hockey Patrol's Twitter identified what are the potential holes on the Leafs roster with free agents, exposing that Toronto may need some upgrades.
Initial thoughts, the first being that McKenna and Cowan almost certainly switch places here, with both on their off hand doesn't make sense, even if Toronto wants more offense from McKenna right away.
The fourth line center role should be filled by rookie Jacob Quillan, but that remains uncertain if he'll make the leap to the NHL after auditions this season, yet he should.
Max Domi may be bumped onto the fourth line for Nick Robertson to play on thw third, which opens the third LW spot as an option, but forgetting Dakota Joshua, who likely slots in there as a clear third line left wing fit. That leaves a middle-six center spot as the big question.
Tavares moving to third line centre is actually perfect at 35 and acquiring a true 2C is what unlocks that ideal lineup
If they can, being able to move on from John Tavares as the 2C is a win from Toronto, not just to upgrade with a younger piece, but to add scoring to the Leafs bottom-six.
If you believe that Alex Tuch can play at center, something he's done at times although more suited to right wing, the best free agent alternative is Charlie Coyle, who despite being 2C material, isn't much younger than Tavares at nearing 33.
That leaves the trade market for a younger alternative, and the Hockey Patrol post suggests a Robertson/Rielly move for a 2C, which may not net a pure 2C, but perhaps a small upgrade on Rielly.
One player being linked for a potential exit is Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright, who at 22 is young and has the offensive upside to bloom into the eventual second line center for Toronto that they need.
Seattle is reportedly wanting a real piece back for the former fourth overall pick. Still, in essence he is type of young 2C option Toronto could use.
Chayka cannot move Maccelli alone because his value is too low and that forces Robertson and Rielly into a package deal for a real 2C
The Toronto Maple Leafs roster doesn't have a lot of value, making a trade for a 2C harder than adding a center in free agency.
There are mixed receptions as to what Morgan Rielly could actually net on the trade market. Some speculation has rendered him nearly impossible to find a deal, while other reports have considered he could be a cap dump in the right situation.
In theory, moving Robertson & Rielly won't net the Leafs much of a Tavares upgrade. Someone like Shane Wright does make sense, but Seattle may not have a clear use for him.
Also a wonder is if Tavares remains the 2C, with Quillan and Max Domi taking on bottom-six center duties, as Domi was given chances down the middle this past season, with Alex Tuch and William Nylander the top-six wingers, Easton Cowan on the third line.
Toronto has found one answer with being handed the top pick, but still have questions beyond that needing to fill out the rest of the Leafs forward group, and the trade market may be the only way for a long-term upgrade at the 2C position.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Shortly after Chayka said defense is the priority a Maple Leafs defensive prospect signed in Sweden instead
Shortly after Chayka said defense is the priority a Maple Leafs defensive prospect signed in Sweden instead
Previously on Hockey Patrol