Trade Proposal Sends Two Star Defensemen To The Toronto Maple Leafs

It is widely known that the Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled to find consistency on defense this season. Whether through injury, suspensions, or just poor play the Maple Leafs defense needs an upgrade. Today a mock trade put together by The Athletic solves this issue for Toronto.

In the mock trade, the Maple Leafs do some nifty maneuvering in a three-team trade and land a pair of star-level defensemen. In the trade, they would be dealing with the Arizona Coyotes and the Calgary Flames. In the end, the Maple Leafs would acquire defensemen Matt Dumba and Chris Tanev.

This trade would require the Maple Leafs to part with their first-round pick but honestly would not cost them all that much.

Heading into the trade deadline many fans are hoping that the Maple Leafs pull off a blockbuster and bring in a star. In the case of this trade, Toronto would bring in two very well-known names.

In the first part of this deal, the Maple Leafs land Matt Dumba and a second-round pick from the Arizona Coyotes for the Maple Leafs first-round pick.

With the 29-year-old Dumba struggling mightily in his first year in Arizona the Coyotes might look to move on from him for cheap. While a first-round pick isn't cheap on its own getting back a second-rounder makes it look a lot more enticing. Dumba has struggled in a big role in Arizona but could thrive in a reduced role on a better team in Toronto.

The second part of this deal would involve the Maple Leafs sending the second-round pick from Arizona to the Calgary Flames for Chris Tanev.

At this point giving up only a second-round pick for Chris Tanev would be considered a bargain with where his value is at. The 34-year-old would immediately slot into the Maple Leafs top four and be a key upgrade for the Maple Leafs.

If both of these moves are pulled off the Maple Leafs would walk away with two prestigious defensemen with top-four upside for only a first and a second-round pick. This would be a huge move by Brad Treliving and place the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup favorite category.