Should the Toronto Maple Leafs move for Drouin or Rychel?

With the trade deadline around the corner, the rumor mill will begin to heat up. No news there, but with a crop of young, talented, former first rounders reportedly looking for a new home, this trade season could be a classic one that helps shape the Toronto Maple Leafs future.

Reports began trickling in this weekend that Jonathan Drouin had asked for a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Following the Drouin situation were reports out of Columbus that Kerby Rychel had requested a move away from the Blue Jackets. Add this to the rumors swirling around Ryan Johansen and there is a cluster of talented young players who could be on the move.

Whether the Toronto Maple Leafs should move for Johansen has been discussed at length. This writer is of the opinion that he would be too expensive to acquire at this point of the rebuild and the Leafs should steer clear unless they can get him at a cut rate.

Jonathan Drouin fits into a similar category as Johansen as far as cost to acquire. The former third overall pick has loads of talent, but is under team control for the near future.

Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman is not going to give Drouin away for peanuts. He would cost the Leafs a minimum of a top prospect along with a high draft pick and that is just to begin the conversation.

Drouin would fill the need for a young prospect on the left side of the offense. Pairing his skill, vision and passing ability with a William Nylander or a Mitch Marner would be the makings of an exciting line for the future, but would it be worth the cost.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs in a rebuild, and having just began to stock the farm with talent, they cannot afford to give away what would be multiple top prospects (including draft picks) for a single player. Especially one who has yet to prove he can be a difference maker on the NHL level. While Drouin has shown flashes, he has yet to show consistent high level play.

Having to include a first round pick which could potentially be the first overall, whether in 2016 or 2017, would bring back memories of the Kessel trade. This is not saying Drouin is another Kessel, but the long term effects on ability to acquire talent through the draft could be similar.

Kerby Rychel would be a more affordable option if Toronto wanted to jump in. Taken with the 19th pick the same year Drouin went third, Rychel is another option on the wing.

What may be most appealing about Rychel is he has more grit to his style of play. He would bring a much needed physical edge to the Maple Leafs prospect pool.

Rychel is still skilled enough to play the open game, but his ability to play the heavier game in the corners and in front of the net is where he would add the most value to the Leafs. Having someone who can effectively do the dirty work in the offensive zone, but can keep up with the skill of a Nylander or Marner will help maximize their abilities.

Acquiring Rychel will still cost the Leafs something of value, but they will be able to swing a deal that is more palatable than acquiring Drouin. Perhaps a 2016 second round pick along with a mid level prospect could be the starting point.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs: State of the Crease Part 2 The Pipeline

There are plenty of options out there for Toronto to try and improve. Of those currently making their rounds in the media, a move for Kerby Rychel may be the most likely, and the most acceptable to the fanbase.