Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade Kadri, JVR & Gardiner

Conventional wisdom says the Toronto Maple Leafs should go for it.

With about the luckiest rebuild possible, the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted three consecutive likely super-star players to put alongside a cast excellent vets on cheap contracts and in their prime. Komarov, Kadri, Van Riensdye, Bozak and Gardiner.

They traded for Freddie Andersen and Boom! Instant contender.

I have written many times about  unique opportunity to go for it immediately by taking advantage of the multiple entry level contracts and cap room they have.

But what about an alternative scenario.  One where the Leafs maintain their patience in order to eventually build a power-house?

A Choice Looms

The Leafs have an excess of wingers.  JVR, Leipsic, Brown, Leivo, Hyman, Nylander, Marner, Kapanen, Rychel, Marner, Komarov, Soshnikov, Timashov, Johnson and more.

Now, they can move out their young players – with the risk that they move the wrong ones – to keep established players and try and compete sooner rather than later.

But a smart move might be to take a step back in order to take a step forward.

I think we can all agree that the core of the Toronto Maple Leafs is William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, Nikita Zaitsev and Auston Matthews.  Might as well throw Freddie in their too.

If the Leafs want to, they can add Connor Brown, Zach Hyman and Kasperi Kapenan to that list.

Or maybe those guys are trade bait.  I hope not, but not everyone can stay.

In the short term, it’s best to use the cap hit and the ELCs and add right now.

But long term? The Leafs could have a chance for something really special if they have the guts to take a step back right now.

Here’s what I’d do: