Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Deadline Debrief

Josh Tessler

Personally, I’m happy with the moves that Lou Lamoriello and Brendan Shanahan made around the trade deadline. They were able to move Nikita Soshnikov and Eric Fehr for draft picks, while acquiring another centreman in Tomas Plekanec.

Additionally, the Leafs didn’t have to overpay to net Plekanec, while somehow convincing Marc Bergevin to eat 50% of Plekanec’s salary.

There is nothing to hate about the moves that the Leafs front office made. Sure, I can understand how fans wanted Lamoriello to go and overpay for another defenseman like Ryan McDonagh. Although, overpaying for a defenseman sometimes doesn’t work out.

Just look at the Washington Capitals.

Brian MacLellan, the general manager of the Capitals, acquired Kevin Shattenkirk at the deadline last year. Shattenkirk cost Washington multiple assets including Zach Sanford, a first-round draft pick and a conditional second-round pick.

Was it worth it? No, as the Capitals still couldn’t manage to get over the hump and into the Cup finals.

I’m sure that Lamoriello observed Washington spending like crazy to get Shattenkirk last year and figured that he wasn’t going to take the risk.

Not only do you take the risk of the trade not working out. You also take the risk of the rental not re-signing as well as losing out on future NHL assets. Play it safe and work with that you have.