Top-Six Centre Emerges as Potential Trade Fit for Maple Leafs After New Report
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be a good fit for Charlie Coyle, after his time with Colorado isn't working out according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli.
It seems that the trade between Boston and Colorado didn't necessarily work out the way the Avalanche had hoped.
Bringing in veteran center Charlie Coyle at the deadline, he hasn't meshed well and there are questions about his fit with the team.
Charlie Coyle could be moved out of Colorado: Frank Seravalli
According to Frank Seravalli on the Daily Faceoff Live show, he discussed the Brock Nelson extension with the Avalanche and how that may play a part in whether or not they decide to keep Coyle:
I'll give you some ideas. Sam Girard is a guy that they're talking about potentially moving on the back end.
I think they've talked about Charlie Coyle so far, another guy who I don't know if he fit in all that well. And then what do you do with Martin Necas?
Are you paying him, and if you're not, you're in the same spot that Carolina was previously, and that's going to be very expensive. Any one of those three guys could be moved to create some salary cap flexibility. - Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff Live
I think they've talked about Charlie Coyle so far, another guy who I don't know if he fit in all that well. And then what do you do with Martin Necas?
Are you paying him, and if you're not, you're in the same spot that Carolina was previously, and that's going to be very expensive. Any one of those three guys could be moved to create some salary cap flexibility. - Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff Live
We already previously touched on the potential of Necas in Toronto, given he could replace Mitch Marner's offense, but how could Coyle fit into the Maple Leafs' plans?
Charlie Coyle's the perfect 3C for Toronto
It wouldn't take long for Coyle to get reacclimatized to the Atlantic Division, considering he spent seven seasons with the Bruins, and was often the main pivot put up against Auston Matthews in the playoffs.
He ended up being able to neutralize Matthews to a point, and that is the exact type of player Toronto needs to help them in the playoffs.
Not the flashiest player, he's consistently reliable on offense, is physical, wins face-offs, plays the penalty kill, and could potentially give the team 20+ goals in the bottom-six; something they desperately need.
While he doesn't have a ton of offense in the playoffs, he's extremely effective at transitioning into a hyper-defensive game, and will be able to go up against the top centers like Aleksander Barkov and shut them down at least enough for Toronto to make an offensive attack.
If Toronto re-signs John Tavares, he more than likely will play the 2C, and if the team prefers Scott Laughton in a more defensive role on the fourth line (and move on from David Kampf) then Coyle would be the perfect addition.
He shouldn't cost much either, and a low-end prospect (maybe Topi Niemala?) and a pick should be enough to get it done, and he doesn't actually cost much either at a respectable $5.25M and is a free agent next season, so even as a rental it's a bargain deal.
For his career, Coyle has 485 points in 950 games (189G, 296A) with Minnesota, Boston, and Colorado; he was drafted 28th overall in 2010.
Plus, it would be nice to have Coyle on our side this time, and he represents the exact game that Craig Berube wants to play; tough, gritty, and good on both sides of the puck.
Toronto needs to change their DNA, so adding Coyle would give them a bit of their old nemesis and bring in a former Bruin, which could pay off huge in the end.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 6 | 419 ANSWERS Top-Six Centre Emerges as Potential Trade Fit for Maple Leafs After New Report Do you think Charlie Coyle is a good fit with the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 294 | 70.2 % |
| No | 125 | 29.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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