Leafs Linked to Multiple Top-Six Options as Trade Market Starts to Shift, But Will They Strike?
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
NHL Insider Chris Johnston believes the Maple Leafs are in on several top-six forwards, however admits the team might not be able to get a deal done due to the lack of premium assets.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs try and navigate a very thin free agent market as well as a trade block that seems to shift every hour, GM Brad Treliving has a few options he can work with, but it seems is trying to be as patient as possible before pulling the trigger.
They have been linked to names such as Nazem Kadri, Jordan Kyrou, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Jared McCann, who would all add that big top-six punch the team is looking for, but come at varying costs, and some that might end up being too pricey for Toronto.
Fans, you may need to be a bit more patient
Fans are waiting patiently as well for something to happen, though according to NHL Insider Chris Johnston, as much as both the Leafs and their fans want a deal done; it might not materialize this summer:
I don't think it's that long a list, honestly. You know, I don't think there's that many players out there that we term 'available' who can play the kind of role the Leafs are looking for.
I sort of wonder if in the end this isn't something for the Maple Leafs and other teams to solve this summer, because, you know Toronto doesn't have that much to trade either, that's the other side of this...
So you know, maybe this ends up being more of a long-term project. I mean it's too soon to say that definitively, it's July 7th. There's always something that can pop up the no one sees coming.
There's not a list of 10 wingers that could fit what the Leafs are looking for and if they have no desire to go after someone like Bryan Rust, or a Rakell; maybe a McCann, then there isn't that many options available.
I sort of wonder if in the end this isn't something for the Maple Leafs and other teams to solve this summer, because, you know Toronto doesn't have that much to trade either, that's the other side of this...
So you know, maybe this ends up being more of a long-term project. I mean it's too soon to say that definitively, it's July 7th. There's always something that can pop up the no one sees coming.
There's not a list of 10 wingers that could fit what the Leafs are looking for and if they have no desire to go after someone like Bryan Rust, or a Rakell; maybe a McCann, then there isn't that many options available.
Toronto may need to bite the bullet to get a deal done
Johnston didn't seem confident in the fact the Maple Leafs can complete a trade and while they don't have a ton of viable assets or anything that would blow a team out of the water; Brad Treliving has worked his magic before.
Toronto can sell on the hype of Nick Robertson and sell teams on him needing a fresh start somewhere else, and he's worth their time. Max Domi is a solid veteran on a cheap deal; same with David Kampf.
Switching gears, Toronto could also dangle someone like Brandon Carlo (though they would probably prefer to keep him) and there's even rumblings of prospect Ben Danford being offered to bring in that top-six help.
Heck, with a sudden influx of goaltending prospects they could offer a player like Dennis Hildeby; a young promising goaltender with brief NHL experience who has the tools necessary to lead a team as a #1 in the future.
A package with Hildeby, Robertson, and maybe even like a William Villeneuve might be enough to sway a team like Pittsburgh, who needs goaltending help and assistance restocking their prospect pool and would give up a player like Rust or Rakell in return.
It isn't going to be easy, but we've seen some crazy things happen in the past, and we've still got months before training camp opens up.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 7 | 2089 ANSWERS Leafs Linked to Multiple Top-Six Options as Trade Market Starts to Shift, But Will They Strike? Who do you think the Maple Leafs should target in a trade? | ||
| Jared McCann | 1120 | 53.6 % |
| Bryan Rust | 969 | 46.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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