Toronto Maple Leafs Rumours and Speculation: Trade Targets

Mark Letestu

I don’t think the Leafs are going to be overly active at the deadline, except for maybe a few small moves. And among those small moves is a trade for Mark Letestu.

Despite all of their luck in recent memory with the draft lottery, the Oilers still can’t seem to figure it out, and it looks like they will be selling yet again this year. Among the players they could deal is Letestu. Letestu is a natural centre who could fit in perfectly on the Toronto Maple Leafs fourth line.

He’s solid defensively and can chip in offense every now and then too. If this move were to happen, it would ultimately put Dominic Moore on the bench, however that’s not a bad thing.  Moore is a veteran who can still make his presence known in the dressing room and suit up upon injury, but he’s 36 and the Leafs need a better 4th line option.

Depth is always important for a playoff team, and Letestu would only improve that depth. The Toronto Maple Leafs have gone on an incredible stretch over these past few games where they’ve won 10 of their past 12 games, and at this point I don’t think the Leafs should make any drastic moves that would alter the chemistry of the team.

Adding depth here and there is all I feel like the Leafs should be doing at this point, whereas the bigger moves should be saved for the off-season. In the end, I think Mark Letestu could very well be this year’s Brian Boyle come playoff time.

-Alex Hobson

Contract: one more year beyond this @ $1.8 cap hit.

Pros:  Potentially slight upgrade on Moore.

Cons:  Negative Corsi relative to current team.

We Would Pay:   A late draft pick.

Recommendation:  We’d rather not, but he is superior to L. Glendening.