Toronto Maple Leafs and Atlantic Rivals Buying at Deadline
As the February 26th trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs and some of their Atlantic Division rivals will be busy evaluating the trade marketplace.
In this post, I’ll evaluate the Atlantic Division teams that will likely be buying assets at the trade deadline.
Let’s begin with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Currently, the Toronto Maple Leafs are third in the Atlantic and will be looking for some assets to help to them stay in the playoff hunt.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will most likely be looking to make a trade for a top 4 defenseman. Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock have been having difficulty finding the perfect defensive partner for Morgan Rielly. Ron Hainsey has been an adequate partner for Rielly, but has proven to be rather inconsistent throughout the season. To note he has been an extremely valuable asset on the Penalty Kill, but 5v5 play for Hainsey has been a disaster. It’s time for the Leafs to make an upgrade.
Everyone in hockey knows the Leafs need to upgrade their defense. They have arguably the best collection of forwards in hockey, so it’s clear where their needs lie.
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The Leafs have cap-space and all their draft picks, plus a bunch of quality assets on the Marlies. If the Leafs want to make a move, they should have no problem doing so, but the question is whether or not they go for a core a piece, a rental or something in between.
The Leafs could also use an upgrade at centre on the fourth line.
Florida Panthers & Boston Bruins
Some of the other likely buyers at the deadline include the Florida Panthers, the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Panthers are currently 4th in the Atlantic and will be looking for a top 6 winger to help solidify a playoff spot, although they are currently five points out of a wildcard and every loss makes their making the playoffs more unlikely. As of January 3rd, they sit in 21st place in GF with 107 goals. To fill the gap, Dale Tallon, the general manager of the Panthers might look to target Evander Kane of the Buffalo Sabres or former Florida Panther, Thomas Vanek. Both, Kane and Vanek’s contracts will expire come free agency.
The Bruins are 2nd in the Atlantic and will also be looking for a top 6 forward. Currently the Bruins have a very strong first line, but their second line is sub-par. The issue is Ryan Spooner. Since Spooner’s concussion last season, he simply hasn’t looked the same. It’s time for Boston to move on and cash out on Spooner now. He’ll also be due for a new contract at the end of the season. They might be able to package Spooner and a draft pick to acquire a top 6 forward.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the top team in the Atlantic. The Lightning won’t need to make a big splash at the deadline. Their offense has been rather explosive all season and as long as Steven Stamkos can stay healthy, they won’t need to spend heavily at the deadline. If Steve Yzerman, the general manager of the Lightning, is looking to make a trade then replacing Cory Conacher would be ideal. Currently Conacher sits on Tampa’s third line and the Lightning could use a strong offensive stud on their third line. In the past few seasons, Concaher has proved to be unreliable and has put up abysmal fenwick for percentages.
If the Anaheim Ducks are out of the playoff hunt, the Tampa Bay Lightning might be able to swing a trade for former Toronto Maple Leaf, Andrew Cogliano and his expiring contract. Historically, Cogliano’s fenwick for percentage has been higher than Concaher’s and a bit more consistent.
Thanks for reading.