Toronto Maple Leafs Make a Surprise Late Night Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had enough.

After a 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers tonight, many Toronto Maple Leafs fans were left with sour tastes in their mouth, and a glaring realization that this team might miss the playoffs.

Via Chris Johnston on Twitter, coach Sheldon Keefe in his postgame presser stated this comment when discussing the starter for Friday night’s contest “It’s too early to tell. There’s a lot going on obviously with Fred and some other things, too, so we’re just kind of have to see how things settle down tomorrow and see where we’re at.”

Some other things? Toronto Maple Leafs fans smelt something fishy in the water. And then, Dubas pulled the trigger.

Toronto Maple Leafs Make Trade

 The Kings will also retain 50% of Clifford’s salary as part of the transaction.

Man, Kyle Dubas is a good GM.

Trevor Moore, a California kid, gets to go and play for his hometown team. And, another plus, the Toronto Maple Leafs get a reliable backup goaltender, along with a forward who isn’t afraid to throw a few punches if need be. Now, here are some key points to get you excited about the newest members on the roster.

1. Jack Campbell is locked in for 2 more years at 1.65 AAV … and this year’s salary carries an AAV of 675k.
2. Campbell’s save percentage this year over 20 starts with the Los Angeles Kings is .900, which I don’t need to tell you is WAY better than Michael Hutchinson’s numbers.  Still, not great numbers, but he did have amazing numbers last year.
3. Clifford’s salary for the year is 1.6 million dollars, but with the Kings retaining 50%, that brings the number down to 800k AAV.

Basically, Leafs Nation should be happy right now.

Dubas just gave you a backup goaltender (or someone who can be relied on if Andersen isn’t good to go) and a player who can hit. Both things in which the team needs.

And both things necessary to have a fresh start and go on a deep run. While it hurts to lose Trevor Moore, this is something that has to be done.

The Leafs traded an OK fourth liner for a very good fourth liner, they added a missing element to their team, and they acquired a goalie who has a much higher ceiling than their current back-up.

The salaries are essentially a wash (once you take Hutchinson’s cap hit off the roster) and the cost to the team is basically nothing – a pick they already had from another team, a player worse than the guy they got back, and at another third round pick (at worst a second).

The Leafs addressed a set of needs, improved their team and did it for a very reasonable cost.

Great trade.