Toronto Maple Leafs: The Case for Pursuing Marcus Kruger

As the trade deadline slowly approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs need for an adequate fourth line centre is glaring.

Enter Marcus Kruger. The Carolina Hurricanes placed the 27-year-old centre on waivers this morning, and you better believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should consider putting in a claim.

Allow me to make a case.

Why Is He on Waivers?

As is the case with most established players in Kruger’s predicament, it’s primarily due to contract-related reasons.

Kruger is currently in the second of a three-year $9.25 million contract, one which is undoubtedly an overpayment.

Despite his offensive totals having never been eye-popping by any stretch, his production in 2017-18 is troubling nonetheless.

Through 48 games, Kruger has but one goal to his name, and just six points to boot.

As a result, his ice time has been tapered back significantly this season, dropping to roughly 11 minutes per night, the lowest of Kruger’s eight-year career.

Needless to say, that’s not the level of production one expects from a player of his price tag.

And yet, if this happened to be the last year of Kruger’s deal, teams would be tripping over themselves to claim him. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case.

You really can’t fault any general manager for baulking at the idea of strapping themselves to a $3 million fourth line centre for another year.

Although, when delving further into Kruger’s numbers, a different picture begins to take shape.

Why the Leafs Should Claim Him

In spite of low offensive totals, Kruger has remained an impactful player in a limited role this season.

As a positive possession player for the entirety of his career, Kruger’s current mark of 54% CF/60 at 5v5 ranks as his highest total ever. And to dispell any suspicions of a fluke, Kruger has registered this impressive output while logging decidedly unsheltered minutes.

According to HockeyReference, just 44.8% of Kruger’s shifts have begun in the offensive zone this season, a noticeably low amount. While primarily serving as a testament to his defensive prowess, it sheds a light on his underwhelming offensive production as well.

Much like Brian Boyle from last season, Kruger seemingly possesses all the qualities of Mike Babcock‘s ideal fourth line centre.

Standing at just over 6 feet and weighing in at186 pounds, he’s a big body. He dominates in the, having currently won 55% of his draws.

Above all else, Kruger is, at his core, a defensively “safe” player who flourishes when tasked with heavy shutdown minutes.

In 2013-14, his most productive season offensively, Kruger began a staggering 20.9%(!) of his shifts in the offensive zone. That is just absurd.

While his contract is far from ideal, Kruger’s arrival would adequately fill what has certainly been the most glaring weakness on Toronto’s roster.

Going into the playoffs, I’ll never scoff at the potential of adding a defensively responsible, possession-driving centre on the right side of 30 to an already deep roster.

How Do They Get Him?

Kruger will almost certainly pass through waivers unclaimed, with his $3.1 million cap hit likely to blame.

With that said, teams will absolutely seek to acquire his services via trade, with the stipulation of the Hurricanes eating a chunk of his salary.

Considering they were willing to lose him for nothing, I doubt Carolina will let a minimal amount of cap space derail Kruger’s departure.

Now, before you start formulating “Matt Martin for Kruger” hypotheticals, remember that the Leafs are currently at 50 contracts, the maximum allowed by the CBA.

In order to take on anyone, let alone Kruger, they need to shed a spot.

Potential Deal

Were Carolina to retain $1 million of Kruger’s cap hit for the remainder of his deal, this trade becomes far more appealing for both sides.

In Toronto’s case, they’ll receive an effective fourth line centre for roughly $2 million, a number which is far easier to move in the offseason, were they to sour on him.

Throw in a roster player like Dominic Moore, a pending UFA whose cap hit comes in at a third of Krugers, and we’re suddenly cooking with gas.

Ridding themselves of Moore may just be my Leaf brain embarking on its weekly wishful thinking exercise, but it’s really not that far-fetched of an outcome.

Worst case, Moore sits for the playoffs (were Carolina to make it) at a fraction of the cap and then leaves come July. Best case, however, is he serves as the ideal depth veteran centre for a sliver of Kruger’s price tag.

Either way, the Hurricanes clear at least $1 million of cap space while receiving some value, which they have the choice to walk away from at season’s, for an asset they were once willing to lose for nothing.

Next: Marlies Notebook: (Un)Arrested Development

Regardless, the ensuing weeks leading up to February 26th are about to get far more interesting.