The Toronto Maple Leafs should call the team that beat them in the qualifying series for defensive help.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans don’t want to be reminded of those five games in August. After knowing the Leafs would be playing the Columbus Blue Jackets since May, it finally became a reality when the action started on August 2.
Although we couldn’t watch any games in-person, the return of hockey brought back a sense of normalcy. There were no more re-runs of old games on TV, but instead real-life action with new memories to be made.
It was an entertaining series, but ultimately did’t give us the result we wanted. The Leafs looked unstoppable after their miraculous comeback in Game 4, but Columbus’ goaltending denied Toronto from advancing, posting a shut-out in game five.
Toronto Maple Leafs and David Savard
The trade.
- Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: David Savard ($4.25M)
- Columbus Blue Jackets acquire: 2020 1st Round Pick, 2021 Second Round Pick and Travis Dermott (RFA)
If you look at Savard’s stats, nothing is going to jump out at you offensively.
And that’s why he’s perfect for the Leafs right now.
It’s nice to see your defensemen chip in with a ton of points, but it’s not necessary. Especially on this Leafs roster.
The Leafs need a right-handed defenseman and Savard is someone who fits that mold. With 11 seasons under his belt, he’s a veteran and reliable top-four d-man.
Very respected as a teammate and player, Savard can hit, fight, block shots and supply you 20 minutes of ice-time per night. The Leafs need a player like this on their team and he’s not that expensive to acquire. Making only $4.25 million until he becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent after 2020-21, it would be smart of the Leafs to look at him. This trade would also benefit Columbus because they would be getting a cheaper defenseman who can step right into the line-up as well.
Finding a right-handed defenseman is tough for every team in the NHL, so although it may feel like a lot of assets are going to Columbus here, giving up a first-round pick is necessary. Savard has a history of strong defense, while the Leafs are stocked in left-handed defenseman, making it a great fit.
Although there’s still more to add, a Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin and David Savard top-three defensive core would be a step in the right direction for the Leafs.