3 Reasons the Fraser Minten Trade Looks Worse and Worse

Look, nobody likes revisiting a trade that already feels like a bruise, but the Fraser Minten deal is getting harder and harder to shrug off. The kid just got named Rookie of the Month in Boston, and if you’ve been watching even a little bit, you can see why. He’s not just playing well — he’s taking off. And every time he scores, you can almost hear Bruins fans laughing from across the border.

Here are three reasons this thing is aging like milk for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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Reason 1: Minten’s Taking Off Faster Than Anyone Expected

Minten wasn’t supposed to explode like this. He was a good prospect with a smart two-way game, but Boston basically threw him into their lineup, and he’s just running with it. Eight goals in a month? That’s wild for a rookie, let alone one the Maple Leafs drafted and moved on from early.

And Minten is not doing it on the power play or living off freebies — he’s scoring at even strength, driving play, and looking like a guy who’s going to stick in the league for a long time. Meanwhile, Toronto could really use exactly that kind of young, cheap, middle-six piece.

Reason 2. The Fit in Boston Makes It Sting the Maple Leafs More

Sometimes a prospect pops because the situation is perfect. And honestly, Boston seems to know exactly what to do with him. They’ve always had a knack for turning smart, responsible players into legit contributors. Minten plays a very “Bruins” style — heavy, reliable, good in structure — and he’s thriving in it.

It doesn’t help that Boston is the last team any Toronto fan wants to see, turning one of your prospects into a success story. Almost anywhere else – maybe Montreal not so much – might have been more palatable.

Reason 3. With Minten Gone, Toronto Still Has a Middle-Six Need

This is the big one. The Maple Leafs are still searching for reliable depth at centre and on the wings. They’ve cycled through projects, call-ups, bargain bets — and it still feels patchy. Minten looks like exactly the kind of young player who could have filled that gap over the next few seasons.

What did the Maple Leafs want? He might not be a superstar, but he would have become a cornerstone. He’s turning into a good NHLer who helps you win. Those are the guys teams usually regret giving away, and the Maple Leafs have done it a lot over recent seasons.

The Maple Leafs Lost a Good One, Now There’s True Regret

There’s still time for the deal to make more sense down the road, but right now? It’s tough. Minten is rolling, Boston is thrilled, and the Maple Leafs are watching a player they drafted turn into something pretty useful… somewhere else. Oh, by the way, they threw in a couple of draft picks as well.

Sometimes trades hurt right away. Sometimes they sneak up on you slowly. This one’s doing both. In a phrase, the Maple Leafs got fleeced on this one.

Related: No Bad Luck Here: Maple Leafs Were Built to Self-Destruct