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Could Maple Leafs Move Tyson Barrie or Jake Muzzin?

Would the Toronto Maple Leafs consider moving Jake Muzzin or Tyson Barrie if the season turned south? One insider doesn’t think so but does that theory make sense?

Elliotte Friedman recently asked in his latest 31 Thoughts article if a number of teams will hold onto some high-value rentals despite chances they could lose these players for nothing in the offseason? Among the teams mentioned were the Toronto Maple Leafs. And, from the Maple Leafs, Friedman brought up the names Tyson Barrie and Jake Muzzin.

Speculating that he doesn’t believe there’s any chance the Maple Leafs would consider themselves as potential sellers this season, (they’ll try to win no matter what) Friedman noted that Barrie and Muzzin were among the names in the “pretty good players” category that in any other year, might get moved as a rental considering their contracts are expiring.

This question is more hypothetical than anything at this stage of the season considering there’s still a ton of hockey left to play, but what happens if the Maple Leafs — who are three points out of a Wild Card spot, start to slide? Logic says to move players and get something in return instead of lose players and get nothing. Muzzin and Barrie make that debate a tricky one.

Pros and Cons of Maple Leafs Making a Move

If the Maple Leafs choose to move either player, they can kiss the season goodbye. An already struggling blue line, taking away two of its biggest assets would be NHL-standings suicide. On the other hand, if the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs and GM Kyle Dubas does nothing about salvaging what he can out of the season, is he committing job suicide? After all, following a coaching change and player changes, he’s got to be the next on the chopping block, no?

Friedman suggests the Leafs are in that category where they’ll hold onto the players, sink or swim. It’s hard to know if that’s a widespread opinion among the fan base and other media or just one insider’s perspective. For all we know, Maple Leafs management might be completely opposed to such poor asset management.

It’s easy to argue moving the players as Friedman suggests Calgary is likely to do should it look like they’ll be on the outside of the postseason looking in. Calgary certainly wants to win and they’ll do anything they can in an attempt to play longer. That said, Friedman notes they could still move players like Travis Hamonic or T.J. Brodie. Why would Calgary and not Toronto?

Next: Winnipeg Jets News & Rumors: Injuries and Call-ups, Scheifele, Laine & Hellebuyck

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