Toronto can add Adam Fox thanks to the rise of Tinus Luc Koblar, and packaged with a couple other intriguing pieces it could be enough to persuade GM Chris Drury.
Needing to add an elite offensive defenceman to their lineup this summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to names like Darren Raddysh and Dougie Hamilton. Both could add what they need but are 30 or older so adding that speed and youthfulness on the backend is lost in translation a bit.
But thanks to the performance of Tinus Luc Koblar in the IIHF World Championships, it now allows them to go after arguably one of the best defenders in the game - Adam Fox.
Adam Fox is the perfect addition to the Maple Leafs and they finally have the pieces to acquire him
Fox, 28, is a premier offensive defender who still put together a great season despite missing 27 games.
In 55 games, Fox had 53 points and a plus-five rating for the last place Rangers and his previous five seasons saw him average 65.4 points and a 0.91 PPG rate; extremely impressive for a blueliner.
He's been subject to trade rumours and with GM Chris Drury looking to make big changes and rebuild/retool the team then Fox may be dealt away as part of that revamped look. It's a good thing then that Toronto has exactly the pieces they need.
We mentioned that Koblar's performance has raised his stock considerably and it shows.
At only 18 he's helping lead the Norwegian side to a dominating start and has eight points in seven games (5 goals, 3 assists), a plus-7, and only six PIM. He's playing a very solid two-way game and showing some serious offensive chops:
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He's been everywhere on the ice, playing defensively, fighting for rebounds, and just looking like a very well-rounded player at only 18 years old. He was a second-rounder that came out of nowhere with no fanfare and suddenly is the talk of the entire tournament.
Maple Leafs shouldn't be afraid to break the bank to pay for Fox
New York would love to add a promising two-way centre who is still a teenager and dominating adults already. Not only that, but Toronto can give them even more youth and firepower for the sake of adding Fox.
Toronto can give Nick Robertson away as he's a player who needs a fresh start and would fit seamlessly into Mike Sullivan's lineup.
He's only 24, has proven NHL-talent, is extremely controllable and much cheaper, and would fit their young core which includes Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle and Braden Schneider and can benefit from the playmaking of guys like Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck if he sticks around.
Not only that, Toronto is going to take all of Fox's $9.5-million salary with no retention, and with a looming Morgan Rielly deal it doesn't hurt as badly. To top it off, the Maple Leafs will have no issues sending their 2027 first to the Rangers either.
Fox makes Toronto competitive now and that pick really won't be useful if both them and Colorado make the playoffs so there's no harm in giving it away especially knowing you have Gavin McKenna in your back pocket as the future to build around.
It's a deal that benefits both sides because New York is looking to rebuild around a young core and both Koblar and Robertson fit their need for future assets and NHL-ready youth.
Tack on that first rounder and suddenly Drury has three pieces to build with, saves a ton of money, and allows Toronto to bring in their biggest offseason acquisition the day it starts. That's a win-win for everyone when all is said and done.
Do you think Toronto should trade Tinus Luc Koblar if it helps them get a new 1D?
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