Vancouver Canucks Could Create a Problem for the Maple Leafs After Trade Report
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A new report from Thomas Drance of The Athletic shows that Vancouver Canucks are going to be active in the trade market; which means Toronto has some competition.
All the discussions around the Maple Leafs this offseason seem to center around their need to get a top-six forward to at least replace some of the offense lost by the departure of Mitch Marner.
The team sure has enough firepower but you can never be too careful, especially in the Atlantic Division, so if the team wants to maximize their potential; they should probably make a move soon.
What the Trade Report Reveals About Vancouver's Plans
That isn't the easiest thing of course, and according to a new report they have some stiff competition.
A new article from Thomas Drance of The Athletic delved into the Canucks' plans this offseason, and with them looking to potentially move away from free agency as a way to add, the trade market is going to be their ticket:
Vancouver is still in the market to land a centre, but the trade market is viewed as a more likely and realistic route of addressing the club's greatest remaining need.
On that score, the club is actively kicking tires and exploring its options. Vancouver would execute a trade today if the deal returned a credible middle-six centre even if that centre had more of a defensive bent to their game.
On that score, the club is actively kicking tires and exploring its options. Vancouver would execute a trade today if the deal returned a credible middle-six centre even if that centre had more of a defensive bent to their game.
The Canucks are certainly a team who is able to execute a deal, and could flip someone like Drew O'Connor and a first-round pick to bring in someone who would fit into Adam Foote's system.
Why the Leafs Could Feel the Ripple Effect
With Vancouver having much more in terms of assets than Toronto both in terms of picks and players, there is a strong chance the team is flat out outbid by the Canucks (or other teams) and left in the dust once again.
If Vancouver makes a move, and then other teams notice and follow suit, it's going to start a bidding war that could see huge packages being exchanged for the chance to bring in the last piece of the puzzle.
Minnesota might be willing to part with Marco Rossi if there's a good deal, and there's a small chance the Ducks could move Mason McTavish provided the price is right.
Those names alone would kickstart a wild round of deals and speculation which means either Toronto needs to do something now; or cut their losses and focus on 2026 free agency.
Or does this mean Toronto rushes a trade for someone like Bryan Rust? They would be tossing as much as they could towards Pittsburgh and it might backfire spectacularly.
There's very little in the way of assets in Toronto's pocket, and besides Ben Danford and Easton Cowan, don't offer as many top level prospects that teams are dying to get.
That means Brad Treliving has his work cut out for him, and he should probably get working on a deal soon.
He may not even have a chance to if he doesn't.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 22 | 1096 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Could Create a Problem for the Maple Leafs After Trade Report Do you think Vancouver will end up beating Toronto to the punch for a trade? | ||
| Yes | 721 | 65.8 % |
| No | 375 | 34.2 % |
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