Would the Toronto Maple Leafs ever think about trading Connor Brown?
It’s a thought most Toronto Maple Leafs fans have never considered before, including myself.
I mean, are you kidding?
It’s Downtown Connor Brown we’re talking about, the Erie Otters phenom and one of the Leafs stellar youngsters.
However, the idea has been put out there by none other than Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet in his recent 30 Thoughts article.
"The speculation is wild in Toronto, especially since Lamoriello and Mike Babcock went to Nashville to see these teams in-person. I cannot imagine the Maple Leafs wanting to trade Connor Brown. He has turned into a terrific player. But you know who else loves him? Dave Nonis. Nonis swore Brown would make it, and he was right. Where does Nonis work now?"
I know that’s just Friedman writing his mind, but he does have a point.
Let’s go a little deeper into this.
Connor Brown
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He was selected 156th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Leafs and who happened to be a part of the organization?
Oh ya, Nonis.
Brown made a brief stint with the Leafs in the 2015-16 season, recording one goal and six points through seven games played.
After proving his worth, he made the 2016-17 roster straight from training camp and played in his first full 82 NHL game season, scoring 20 goals and 36 points.
Brown showed everyone that he belonged by making a statement as a penalty kill specialist on top of being able to rack up the points.
Friedman was correct about Nonis being right with the late draft selection.
Brown’s the real thing.
He’s going to be looking for a new deal with the Leafs this offseason and has earned a little pay raise from his entry-level contract.
Dave Nonis
Okay, but what does Nonis have to do with any of this?
Well, just as Friedman hinted at in the above quote.
"Where does Nonis work now?"
The answer to that is none other than the Ducks where he holds the title of special assignment scout /consultant to the team’s general manager, Bob Murray.
To say he wouldn’t have a voice in a potential blockbuster trade would be ludicrous because he absolutely does for the Ducks.
Fact or Fiction
I don’t want the Leafs to trade Brown at all.
I love his game and what he brings to the team, but I guess that’s tempting for the guy that drafted him, especially with all the trade rumors that surround the Leafs and the Ducks.
Friedman is a pretty credible source and no, he didn’t give a trade rumor and that’s not what I’m doing either.
He simply put Brown’s name out there because of the current hype surrounding the Leafs/Ducks and the Nonis connection whereas this article is about expanding that thought.
I don’t know, maybe there’s a trade brewing for one of the Ducks coveted defenseman and Brown’s name is involved.
One of Sami Vatanen, Josh Manson, or Brandon Montour would be nice.
However, Vatanen doesn’t seem as likely due to his recent injury.
In the end, it’s an interesting thought, but that might be just it.
A thought.