The real cost of fixing the Maple Leafs' defense is becoming clearer
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Per NHL Insider Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs' ability to upgrade their blueline is going to cost them a collection of prospects and top assets.
The discussion this season so far surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs defensive crop has focused on the team's inability to shut down their opponents, and what could be the reason for their production compared to last season.
While they are missing Chris Tanev, the rest of the backend has led Toronto to rank 31st in the NHL in goals against with 65 already, and their defense is a combined plus-5.
It's still a positive number however compare that to last season where they were plus-77 and you can see their production has fallen -- which means a trade may be necessary.
What rival teams are reportedly asking from the Maple Leafs
If they want to improve their defense, it's going to end up being expensive according to NHL Insider Darren Dreger.
Speaking on TSN's OverDrive Tuesday, Dreger explained that if the Maple Leafs intend on improving their Top-4, it's going to drain them of important assets:
They don't have the assets to go out and swing for the fence, because if you're looking for a top 4 defenseman, guess who they're asking for: Knies, Danford, Cowan, a 1st in '28. They don't have a cupboard full.
For Toronto, the risk of losing a young blossoming power forward (Knies) or two key pieces of their youth movement (Cowan and Danford) might be too high to entertain an offer.
Why the Leafs' trade options may be limited this season
Looking beyond the Maple Leafs' asset pool with their rookies and draft picks, the team also lacks a needle-mover on their current roster that isn't a superstar player.
Both Max Domi and Brandon Carlo have come up in earlier internal trade conversations and remain players Toronto could consider moving if the right deal appears.
If Carlo were part of a move, it would force the Leafs to reshuffle the right side again, so any decision involving him would be made carefully.
Bobby McMann is another player on an expiring contract who could add offense to a team, and with Toronto's logjam of forwards he could be expendable.
Other potential trade candidates for the Maple Leafs include:
Robertson has recently improved his production and earned top-six minutes. Jarnkrok has bounced around as a healthy scratch a few times, and Myers could be dealt to a team like Carolina who has been reportedly looking for defensive help.
What those pieces could bring back will depend entirely on the market and which teams step forward.
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