Toronto Maple Leafs Not Done: Possible Trade Deadline Targets

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a slapshot during the third period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers at STAPLES Center on January 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a slapshot during the third period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers at STAPLES Center on January 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 13: Luke Glendening
DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 13: Luke Glendening

Luke Glendening by Nick Barden

The Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade for Luke Glendening.

Now, what we know is, Mike Babcock really likes Luke Glendening. But what we also know is, he costs a lot. At the end of the day, the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be in a cap crunch. He is a centre, which we could add, but why?

We have Freddy Gauthier, who is, taller, maybe stronger, and is DEFINITELY cheaper. Would you rather have a player who has 18 points in 54 games, that will have a $2 million cap hit this season and $1.8 and $1.7 million in the next two years?

Or, would you rather have someone who is 6 inches taller than Luke Glendening, has 10 points in 44 games and who will be probably making the league minimum for this year, next year and probably for a while?

To me, it doesn’t make sense. Why would you want someone who barely puts up more points and costs $1 million more?

I know $1 million isn’t a lot, but if you’re in a cap crunch like the Leafs will be, $1 million is a lot of money, which they could put forward into a better players contract (Kapanen or Johnsson).  I hope Dubas holds his ground and says it’s not worth it, but who knows what’s going on in that war room.