Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs Have Eyes on Specific Target In Trade Market
There is lots of talk about what the Toronto Maple Leafs might add at the trade deadline and a couple reports suggest a specific target.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to contend, more and more talk will be that this is a team ready to go all-in on the season. And, as the NHL Trade Deadline creeps closer, speculation will be that general manager Kyle Dubas is looking to add pieces that will put this team over the hump and finally bring the group some postseason success.
Related: Maple Leafs’ William Nylander Benched in 5-3 Win Over Canadiens
As such, talk surrounding the Maple Leafs potentially adding another forward has already started. Eliotte Friedman was on this idea early and recently was at it again, this time during an interview on Sportsnet 590 when he got to talking about the team’s trade deadline plans. He said, “I think Toronto is looking for another winger. I just think they are trying to find someone else to play with Tavares and Nylander and see if they can unlock something a bit more.”
Friedman added:
The way the Leafs are playing and the way it is setting up, you are going for it this year. This is a year where you say, “I’ve got all of these poker chips in front of me. I am pushing them in. I am going for it.”… I think they are going to look pretty hard at what is available and they are going to try to add.
He believes Toronto is already putting some of the pieces in place to give themselves some flexibility. Suggesting Dubas is trying to find cheap fits that will mesh well with some of their top stars, Alex Galchenyuk is the latest example of that trend. If these $1 million players don’t work out, the team can move on.
At the same time, Dubas is making deals that offer him room with fewer contracts on the books. That way, if he sees a piece he really wants to add, he’ll have the space (not necessarily the money) to do so. One of the reasons the Maple Leafs did the deal with the Carolina Hurricanes was to get down to 46 contracts.
Dreger Is Thinking the Leafs Might be Focused on Something Else
On First Up with Michael Lansberg and Carlo Colaiacovo, TSN’s Darren Dreger said that the Leafs are looking for a 6.5-7th forward and that Dubas wants to pressure guys in the top six.
In other words, in an effort to get the third line going, perhaps Dubas will find the right mix of players so that third line will start producing, or at the very least, find a player that can replace a top six forward and motivate through fear that top six spots aren’t guaranteed.
Dreger said, “They need a little bit more from that third line.” He added, “I think the action for the trade deadline might come three or four weeks prior to the deadline — mid-March due to Covid-19 and quarantine restrictions. I wouldn’t be surprised if teams jump a bit ahead of time.”
Next: Is Auston Matthews the Greatest Maple Leafs Player of All Time?
4 Comments
Leave a Reply
More News
Pingback: Joe Thornton Sparks the Maple Leafs Playing “Small Minutes”
Pingback: Panarin Denies Allegations of Abuse, Takes Leave from Rangers
Pingback: Muzzin Out for Toronto Maple Leafs, Team Showcasing Travis Dermott?
Pingback: Panarin Denies Allegations of Abuse, Takes Absence from Rangers - SPORTWN