Do Maple Leafs Make Sense for This Canadiens’ Offensive Cast-Off?

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens don’t often link up on the trade front. That said, there is a world where they do at this year’s trade deadline and it benefits both teams. One idea that’s been floated is Simon Benoit for Arber Xhekaj, which, on paper, could make sense for both sides.

More recently, though, another idea has emerged and caught some attention. The possibility of the Canadiens trading Patrik Laine to the Maple Leafs. The idea came up in a recent piece at Editor in Leaf, where the author suggested Toronto should explore acquiring Laine from Montreal.

But honestly, this feels like a move the Maple Leafs should steer clear of.

Maple Leafs Should Avoid Trading for Laine

The Maple Leafs already have enough players like Laine. He’s a shot-first winger, doesn’t play a physical game, and is extremely streaky. From a roster-building standpoint, it doesn’t really make sense to give up assets to add another middle-six forward with that profile. Especially when they’ve finally started to see some growth from Nicholas Robertson this season.

Then there’s the injury concern, which is the obvious red flag. Laine has struggled with injuries for years, and this season has been no different. He’s been out since Oct. 16 after undergoing core muscle surgery and hasn’t returned. In total, he’s appeared in just five games and has one assist. When you look at his recent history, it’s hard to ignore how often injuries have kept him out of the lineup. For a team like Toronto, taking on a player who can’t stay healthy just doesn’t make much sense.

If the Maple Leafs are going to retool, they need to do it properly. Not by rushing into a move for a one-dimensional player who doesn’t really move the needle. Adding Laine doesn’t change the core, and it doesn’t address the bigger issues with this roster. At this point in his career, acquiring him would feel more like doing the Canadiens a favour than helping themselves, regardless of the asking price. For Toronto, this is one idea that’s better left as just that, an idea.

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