Toronto Maple Leafs Linked to Physical Defenseman From Arch-rival to Pair With Morgan Rielly, Per Insider
The Toronto Maple Leafs need to add defensive depth and might have the opportunity to acquire a player from the Montreal Canadiens, according to an NHL insider.
With the NHL roster freeze ending shortly and the trade deadline only a couple of short months away, GM Brad Treliving is getting back to work and doing his homework on who he can add to his team for their hopefully long playoff push.
There are several names they can target for their blueline, and a variety of cheap or expensive options that can pay off in a big way, or blow up in their face. If the Leafs don't want to break the bank, they can look to their heated rivals Montreal for a solution.
David Savard Could Be The Key To Toronto's Issues
So much talk and speculation has come about regarding who the Maple Leafs could look to acquire.
NHL insider Chris Johnston has an inkling over who they could pursue in his latest article for The Athletic: 'NHL trade matchmaker: Predicting where top targets go by the deadline, part 1'.
Alongside insider Pierre LeBrun, Johnston gave some early predictions for various trade candidates and where they are best suited.
Among the bevy of names from both men, the name of David Savard came up in regards to helping the Maple Leafs on their blueline:
"Trades between two of the NHL's oldest rivals are exceedingly rare, but this one could make sense.
Despite making significant strides on the defensive side of the puck this season, the Leafs still have some question marks.
Summer signing Jani Hakanpää has only been healthy enough to play two NHL games this season because of lingering knee issues, and as good of a story as Conor Timmins' re-emergence has been, he may not be ideally suited for what the team wants to get out of its third pairing come playoff time.
As an added bonus, Savard has playoff pedigree and would give Toronto a level of depth at the position usually needed to go on a long run. He might even slide alongside Morgan Rielly and give them better balance from top to bottom."
Despite making significant strides on the defensive side of the puck this season, the Leafs still have some question marks.
Summer signing Jani Hakanpää has only been healthy enough to play two NHL games this season because of lingering knee issues, and as good of a story as Conor Timmins' re-emergence has been, he may not be ideally suited for what the team wants to get out of its third pairing come playoff time.
As an added bonus, Savard has playoff pedigree and would give Toronto a level of depth at the position usually needed to go on a long run. He might even slide alongside Morgan Rielly and give them better balance from top to bottom."
It's true the Leafs still have question marks and besides Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe, the defense has been good at times and invisible at others. Jani Hakanpaa only played two games and while he may return, it's hard to think that money could have been better spent elsewhere.
Savard is older yes, but he can provide a ton of experience and another big body for Craig Berube. Only 6'1 but 235 pounds, he's a shot-blocking monster and loves to throw his weight around.
He doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and his playoff experience is crucial for a deep Leafs run. Winning a Stanley Cup in 2021 with Tampa, and was pegged to be the successor to Shea Weber in Montreal once he went down with injury.
Not the flashiest name, he's also on the cheaper side of the financial spectrum, only costing $3.5M and will be a free agent at the end of the year.
Giving up a low draft pick or low-end prospect for a chance to solidify their defense is a small price to pay for the team.
Toronto is still weary on Hakanpaa, and Morgan Rielly has been underperforming and not shown the level of leadership and production expected from the team's longest tenured player.
David Savard is a great option, and with a struggling Montreal team he could enjoy a new look sitting at the top of the Atlantic.
The only question is will Kent Hughes and Brad Treliving come to an agreement and put their rivalry aside for the betterment of both teams.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 918 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs Linked to Physical Defenseman From Arch-rival to Pair With Morgan Rielly, Per Insider Should Toronto pull of a trade with the rival Montreal Canadiens for David Savard? | ||
| Yes | 450 | 49 % |
| No | 468 | 51 % |
| List of polls | ||
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