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Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade Targeting Brandon Montour

By Andrew Boehmer

Feb 9, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour (71) celebrates his teams goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Anaheim beats Buffalo 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour (71) celebrates his teams goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Anaheim beats Buffalo 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs need to get a trade finalized for a top pairing defenseman.

This offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs biggest goal should be to acquire a top pairing defenseman.

Of course, this can be done through free agency or solved internally, but both seem like a stretch.

The other option is a trade, one that seems the most likely to serve as a long-term solution that’s also beneficial for the Leafs right now.

That being said, let’s explore the trade for Brandon Montour I suggested in a previous article a little more.

The Trade

Nothing new here as this is the exact same trade proposal I suggested earlier.

Now, let me explain my reasoning a little more.

The Leafs need a top pairing right handed defenseman, nobody’s questioning that.

Montour is a defensive prospect with elite potential.

Why Brandon Montour

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Montour was drafted 55th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft to the Anaheim Ducks and has played in 27 regular season games for the Ducks, all in the 2016-17 season, scoring two goals and six points.

So far in the playoffs, he’s recorded two assists in six games played.

Over the course of nearly two seasons with the San Diego Gulls, the AHL affiliate to the Ducks, he’s produced a fair amount of points.

So, at the professional level, he’s been able to be successful and yes, the AHL is professional hockey.

As he grows and matures in the NHL, the point totals may follow, but that’s not exactly why the Leafs should be looking at him.

He’s offensively gifted and not oversized, but his game as a shutdown defenseman could get there with the proper guidance, something Mike Babcock could give him.

I don’t expect him to come in and instantly be a Kevin Shattenkirk type guy, he’s only 23.

That’s exactly why the Leafs should go after him because he can be built into the type of player they need.

Why James van Riemsdyk and Tobias Lindberg

The Ducks need help up front and the Leafs can provide that.

It’s not like they can’t produce offense, but with the amount of defensive depth, they have, trading away one of their assets for immediate and future offensive help should be a good thing.

van Riemsdyk is a proven scoring winger able to produce 30 goals and 60 points.

What’s not appealing about that?

Lindberg is of similar stature and his upside is quite positive.

He could turn into a solid third or second line winger capable of putting up a decent amount of points.

The Leafs can spare van Riemsdyk because there’s enough internal competition and goal scorers on the roster as of right now to make up for the loss.

As for Lindberg, like I said, the Leafs have enough offensive depth.

Losing him won’t hurt the team long-term.

Why a 2018 3rd Round Pick

The Ducks are getting proven results in van Riemsdyk and a prospect while the Leafs are getting a very good chance of Montour turning out to be an elite defender, but there’s still a chance.

The Leafs need some extra collateral, thus the 2018 3rd pick comes into play and the only question that comes up is why a 2018 pick, right?

Simply because the Ducks only have six total picks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

That’s all.

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