Maple Leafs Must Take Advantage of Cap-Strapped Team to Boost Forward Depth
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could end up helping their Albertan neighbors open up some cap space this summer by taking forward Viktor Arvidsson off of their hands.
With all the talk around who Brad Treliving is going to bring into the team for next season, they certainly have a slew of names who could come in and make a big difference for Craig Berube's squad.
Of all the big names like Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, there are also some smaller names like Pius Suter, and Cody Glass who could step into a third or fourth line role and give the team some much needed changes in their lineup.
Viktor Arvidsson being shopped around by Oilers: Friedman
But one name in particular who might be of interest is Viktor Arvidsson, and with the Oilers trying to clear as much cap space as possible, he might very well be the next person out of town.
We saw Evander Kane shipped out earlier on Wednesday, and Evan Bouchard/Corey Perry's contracts needed to be sorted out, and NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman revealed the Oilers are actively looking for a place to send Arvidsson:
They're working together to find a place for Viktor Arvidsson. I think they're trying to work something out with Corey Perry, with Evan Bouchard, the hope is they get it done this week. - Elliotte Friedman
While he dealt with injuries last year, he ended up skating in 67 games for the Oilers this season, adding 27 points (15G, 12A) and has always been a potential 20-25 goal threat.
He has 389 career points in 613 games with time spent in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Edmonton.
Where does Viktor Arvidsson fit on the Maple Leafs?
If he were to be brought in, you can expect a cap dump similar to the Kane trade, and seeing Toronto send a third or fourth round pick to the Oilers to get it done.
Once he's here, Arvidsson would give the Maple Leafs a great option in their Top-9, and at one point the Swedish forward was a deadly force with the Predators, with 94 goals and 170 points in a three season span.
He's a vast improvement over the likes of Max Domi, and Nick Robertson plus he only makes $4-million and is a free agent next season. For a mid-tier pick, Toronto can add a reliable offensive presence without giving up too much or breaking the bank.
He would also give Berube a quietly solid playoff presence, with 44 points in 87 games (15G, 29A) and someone who just played in the Cup Finals.
If Edmonton is so desperate to open up cap space for some other players, Arvidsson could find his way elsewhere, and he should end up wearing the blue and white come next season.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 26 | 475 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Must Take Advantage of Cap-Strapped Team to Boost Forward Depth Do you think the Maple Leafs need to try and acquire Viktor Arvidsson from the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 164 | 34.5 % |
| No | 311 | 65.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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