Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade for Dylan Demelo
The NHL’s trade deadline is fast approaching and Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas has a lot to consider.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are clinging to third place in the Atlantic, and there are several injuries to important players like Morgan Rielly, Ilya Mikheyev, Andreas Johnsson who are injured. Also Cody Ceci.
It’s hard to know what Dubas might do.
Many people think that the extra cap space gained from these injuries will allow the Toronto Maple Leafs GM to make a big move before the deadline. Beyond knowing that the team may need help on the blueline, it’s hard to think if they’re after anything else.
However, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been scouting Senators games lately, which provides a clue on what Dubas’ plans are. Dubas seems to want Dylan DeMelo.
Why DeMelo?
Dylan DeMelo isn’t the big splash kind of player or trade target many fans would be excited about, but that’s precisely why acquiring him makes sense.
The London, Ontario native is the much coveted right-shot defenseman. He’s in the final year of his deal which only a 900 thousand dollar cap hit. Sure he’s due for a raise if he’s kept, but even then, his modest production won’t lead to a huge raise. That is certainly attractive to a team that spends to the cap.
DeMelo isn’t a big name player but he does play a defensively sound game, especially at his cap hit.
The cost to acquire him would certainly be cheaper than trying to pry a defenseman from the Minnesota Wild. Reports are that the Toronto Maple Leafs are after players with term, but at a modest price, why wouldn’t DeMelo be someone the Leafs want?
He’d fit in the lineup as a bottom three defenseman and he’s better than Ceci or Marincin.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have loads of offence and solid puck movers on the blueline. What they need are defensively sound players.
DeMelo is one. Toronto needs a safe player, and DeMelo is. Acquiring him wouldn’t mean the Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t afford to make another trade either.
Dylan DeMelo might be a UFA, but do you really think he wouldn’t want to come play for his hometown team?
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To sum: he plays a position and style the Leafs need, while he wouldn’t cost a ton to acquire. Trading for Dylan Demelo is a solid move that the Leafs need to make.