Toronto Maple Leafs: Trevor Moore Signing Sets Stage for Trade

We all know that the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Trevor Moore. But do we know why?

One suggestion is that, yes, he’s ready for the NHL. That the Toronto Maple Leafs could insert him into their lineup today.   And don’t worry, Mike Babcock thinks so too.

But could there be a bigger reason behind the signing?

The Leafs are facing a cap crunch next season once they re-sign Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, so any kind of quality players who come cheap are needed.

Trevor Moore

After this season, Moore will be making $725k per year, for the next 2 years.That makes him

one of the better, more  inexpensive contracts for the Leafs. If he does stay up with the Leafs through to seasons end and on, he will have the 5th cheapest contract on the Leafs NHL roster.

We all know the Leafs are in need of a defenseman. And with Trevor Moore now signed, the Leafs could look to move one of their more expensive depth players.

One of the names on that shortlist is Connor Brown. In 48 games this season, Brown has 16 points (4G, 12A). And that’s with semi-regular minutes in the top nine.

Unfortunately, the Leafs have too much star power to include him higher in the lineup. Brown has a cap hit of $2.1M for this season and the next, before then becoming an RFA. That is simply too much money for a bottom-of-the-roster player.

Yes, he is a depth option for the team but, it’s possible that another team wants him and could possibly use him higher in the lineup.

What Teams Could Be Interested?

1. Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes may not need Brown right now. But again, maybe they do. The Hurricanes are very top-loaded with defensemen. 3 of the 10 players with the most points on the team are defensemen (Jaccub Slavin, Justin Faulk, and Dougie Hamilton). We know Carolina is willing to move one.

Maybe, the Leafs could send Brown in a package that would bring back a defenseman like Brett Pesce or if they spice up the package quite a bit (this is me throwing a hail mary), Dougie Hamilton or Jaccob Slavin in return.

The Toronto Maple Leafs would then keep Moore with the team, maybe permanently.

2. LA Kings

The LA Kings are a longshot, but they do have a defenseman that the Leafs could be looking at. That player is, Jake Muzzin. He currently has 21 points in 50 games. Muzzin is a solid player, but he’s left handed so this move only makes sense if the Leafs are interested in moving one of their current left handed defenseman to the right side.

Adding Muzzin would very clearly be an upgrade, but it’s going to take more than Connor Brown.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the asking price for Muzzin is a 1st round pick and a prospect.

3. Ottawa Senators

Now, we all know Pierre Dorion doesn’t like trading within the division, but this could end up being a good deal for both teams. Codi Ceci has 15 points in 45 games with the struggling Senators this season, but that’s just the start. Did I also mention he’s only 25 and he’s a right-handed shot?

Ceci sits 27th on TSN’s Trade Bait List and is in the last year of his contract before becoming an RFA.

He could be another depth player that the Leafs could use and possibly sign next year for a significantly lower cap hit.

How Likely Is It?

Now, although these trades have a low chance of going through, there’s still a bit of likelihood. Nobody knows what Dubas and front office will do, as they are insanely good at hiding it.

It could come tomorrow, sometime close to February 25th (the Trade Deadline), or even never. We will have to wait and find out.

The bottom line is this: The emergence of Trevor Moore as a quality NHL player means that the Leafs can use one of their current forwards to try and improve their blueline.

Cap info from Capfriendly.com

stats from hockeydb.com