San Jose Sharks
Blockbuster Trade Theory Between Maple Leafs and Sharks Emerges
With the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the lottery and the Sharks No. 2, does a blockbuster Matthews trade option open up?
With the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the NHL Draft lottery and the San Jose Sharks selecting second overall, an interesting scenario presents itself that the cast of Spittin’ Chiclets jumped all over on Tuesday. Following the lottery, Paul Bissonette noticed that Macklin Celebrini started following Auston Matthews. That immediately got the podcaster fired up, giving him an idea for a blockbuster trade.
His theory was that Celebrini might have followed Matthews because the two were destined to play together. The trade, while it clearly has to include other pieces, would see Matthews go to the Sharks and the second overall selection go to Toronto.
It would send Matthews to a new destination, giving him a fresh start on a new team that is only getting better. He’d be a superstar to play with Celebrini and the Sharks would be formidable.
At the same time, the trade would allow Toronto to undertake one of the fastest rebuilds in the NHL, selecting No. 1 and No. 2. They’d likely select Gavin McKenna to replace Mitch Marner, or Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff, or Chase Reid to improve their defense.
It’s a wild idea, and the Celebrini-following-Matthews moment that sparked it is just that—a theory. It wouldn’t be the first time a team has selected No 1 and No. 2 overall. In 1991, the Quebec Nordiques selected Eric Lindros (No. 1) and Sylvain Lefebvre (No. 2 – acquired via trade). In 1981, the Winnipeg Jets selected Dale Hawerchuk (No. 1) and Scott Arniel (No. 2).
Would Matthews Want to Go to San Jose?
The question would become whether Matthews was open to going to the Sharks. He has a full no-move trade clause and he would need to approve any deal. The Sharks are going to be a solid team, but is that a place he could see playing and living in? The Sharks likely don’t do that deal unless they know Matthews is open to re-signing a longer-term extension.
For Toronto, are they better off trying to keep Matthews or start fresh with the two top picks in this year’s draft? It would mean at least another year of not contending, but the rush to win isn’t there given that Matthews would be gone and there’d be no pressure to convince him to stay.
Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canadiens, Oilers & Suprising Maple Leafs
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