Toronto Maple Leafs: Josh Leivo’s Trade Request Raises Questions

During the “Headlines” segment of last night’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, it was reported that forward Josh Leivo has requested a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Now, were Leivo to have submitted this request two months earlier, no one would blame him.

Despite strong play when given the opportunity, with 10 points in just 13 games last year, he simply could not crack the lineup. Unfortunately, he’s played even less this year.

In life, everyone has their breaking point, and it seems that Leivo reached his.

Although, let’s not lose sight of the situation at hand. Leivo is not completely devoid of blame here. Had he not signed a one-year, $925,000 contract extension on November 17th, 2017, all of this could have been avoided.

At the season’s end, Leivo would have achieved unrestricted free agent status for the first time in his career. He would then be free to sign with any team, particularly focusing on one who could guarantee him what has evaded his grasp for so long; a concrete lineup spot.

There would be no need for a trade request, and therefore no need for the ensuing drama.

So, why sign an extension with a team who is actively torpedoing your career, especially when freedom is mere months away?

And once doing so, why turn around three months later and request a trade?

How Did Leivo Get Here?

It may not seem like it, but the Toronto Maple Leafs organization holds, or at least held, Leivo in high regard.

For years, they refused to demote him to the AHL, as doing so would risk losing him to waivers. Despite being drafted in 2012, an era which has been effectively erased from Leafs history, he’s remained with the organization.

And, most telling of all, Toronto protected him in last year’s expansion draft.

So, there’s a reason why the Leafs never traded Leivo, in spite of their numerous opportunities to do so. The team clearly views him as a valuable asset.

Although, in Lou Lamoriello‘s world, there exists no asset valuable enough to justify a trade request.

He’s Not Frank Corrado

Leivo’s predicament harkens back to the Frank Corrado situation of last season.

For three-quarters of the year, Corrado was given the Leivo treatment, sitting for all but two of his team’s games. On the two occasions he did slot into the lineup, Corrado amassed six minutes in penalties.

Not exactly the best way to win over Mike Babcock.

And yet, the organization seemed content enough to keep Corrado on the roster, commending his commitment to keeping his body ready for the off chance his services would be needed.

In fact, it wasn’t until Corrado did the one thing a healthy scratch should never do, open his mouth, that he suddenly became a problem.

Two months later, he was gone. Shipped off to Pittsburgh (or more accurately Wilkes-Barre) in exchange for Eric Fehr and a conditional pick.

Now, Leivo finds himself in a similar, albeit slightly different situation.

Unlike Corrado, Leivo has amassed a body of work at the NHL level which suggests he could be an effective player. While 21 points in 53 games across five seasons aren’t much, it’s far more endearing than Corrado’s eight points in 76 games.

Side note: did you know Corrado had played 76 NHL games? I certainly didn’t.

Regardless, Leivo has shown the potential to be an effective NHL player if used properly. He’s now on the trade block, due to make less than $1 million next year.

You better believe teams will be interested.

Where Could he Go?

Considering their winger group is downright pitiful, Edmonton will undoubtedly be bandied about as Leivo’s most likely destination.

According to CapFriendly, the Oilers currently boast some $8 million in cap space, with wingers Mark Letestu, Patrick Maroon, and Mike Cammalleri due to become free agents at season’s end. Adding a potential 20-goal scorer for less than a million dollars would absolutely be a logical move.

Although, we’re talking Peter Chiarelli‘s world here, where logic is a foreign concept.

In fact, I’ll stop you right there, folks.

A perpetual healthy scratch is not going to land the Leafs any of Edmonton’s D. What it might land them, however, is something along the lines of a conditional third rounder. With the condition being linked to the number of games Leivo suits up for.

Although, if I were to put money on a team’s chances of acquiring him, I’d (ironically) put it on Vegas.

Practically everyone on the Golden Knights roster not named Johnathan Marchessault is set to hit free agency at the end of the year. Key cogs the likes of James Neal and David Perron could potentially test the market, rightfully demanding exuberant price tags.

Were they to depart, a sizeable offensive hole would then be opened. One which Leivo, if given the chance, could potentially fill.

Plus, thanks to the expansion draft, Vegas happens to own a treasure trove of draft picks. They could easily toss over one of their three second or third round picks in this year’s draft to the Leafs and feel no buyers remorse.

Next: Crushed in Boston

So, while Leivo’s situation hangs in the balance, one thing remains certain. Once the calendar flips past February 26th, he will no longer be a Toronto Maple Leaf.