Why the Oilers' Interest in William Villeneuve Could Force the Leafs' Hand
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
According to a report from Allan Mitchell of The Athletic, the Toronto Maple Leafs are at the risk of losing William Villeneuve to the Edmonton Oilers.
There have been discussions around the Maple Leafs' William Villeneuve's place on the team, as the defenseman is on the cusp of making the team but is currently dealing with a logjam on the backend with all the veterans locked up for the foreseeable future.
But he offers a dynamic that Toronto doesn't really have, that being a right-handed, puck moving defender. It would be risky to get rid of him even though it might entice some teams to part with that ever precious top-six forward.
Why the Edmonton Oilers Are Reportedly Interested
However it seems like with all the rumors around Villeneuve, he's been on the radar of a Canadian rival who might be able to swoop in and steal him.
According to a report from Allan Mitchell of The Athletic, it seems like the Edmonton Oilers could make a play for the defenseman given their need for a right-handed playmaker themselves:
Quality right-handed defencemen are something close to hockey unicorns. William Villeneuve of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been an effective AHL player for the past three seasons but appears to be on the outside looking in this fall.
He is no lock to flourish at the highest level. Josh Kloke at The Athletic wrote about Villeneuve in June, saying he «has had three seasons of steady production with the Marlies, with some improvement in his breakouts and offence creation.
Yet he hasn't made himself impossible to ignore. With an NHL chance looking unlikely next season, a qualifying offer isn't a given.»
He did sign a one-year deal earlier this month but is blocked on the Toronto roster. Opportunity is knocking for another NHL team.
He is no lock to flourish at the highest level. Josh Kloke at The Athletic wrote about Villeneuve in June, saying he «has had three seasons of steady production with the Marlies, with some improvement in his breakouts and offence creation.
Yet he hasn't made himself impossible to ignore. With an NHL chance looking unlikely next season, a qualifying offer isn't a given.»
He did sign a one-year deal earlier this month but is blocked on the Toronto roster. Opportunity is knocking for another NHL team.
It's tough to see a spot for Villeneuve, especially if the team has Dakota Mermis and Henry Thrun able to slide in as depth pieces and both have NHL experience.
Who William Villeneuve Is and Why He Matters for Toronto
Villeneuve, drafted 122nd overall by the Maple Leafs in 2020 has been a very consistent addition to the Marlies since arriving.
In 165 games for Toronto, Villeneuve added 90 points (9 goals, 81 assists) and a plus-28 in his three seasons. That was coming off four years in the QMJHL where he had 153 points in 216 games for Saint John's (21 goals, 132 assists).
One of the only real offensive-minded blueliners Toronto has in their system, he could be looked at as someone who might not step into a 1/2 role, but is perfectly capable of playing in the bottom-four, and looks like he could play with anyone.
Also, it must be noted how premium right handed defensemen are, and his combination of playmaking and hockey IQ makes him quite the tantalizing target.
What a Potential Move Could Mean for the Maple Leafs' Blue Line
Not much changes really, except that the Maple Leafs lose a potential solid part of the lineup but if you look at the other names they have it's hard to see Villeneuve sticking around even if he is that good.
Ben Danford is a top prospect, and you've got Cade Webber and Noah Chadwick close to staking a claim for a roster spot. Then you have Mermis and Thrun who can come in now, and there's also John Prokop and Ryan McCleary in the background.
If Toronto can add a proper forward then it's not a bad idea to trade Villeneuve while he has a lot more hype, and Victor Johansson's emergency might make him expendable even if he's much further away.
Things don't change much on the Maple Leafs, and the Marlies aren't going to look much different either; so maybe it's worth a trade?
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