With every day that passes, we get closer to the Toronto Maple Leafs making a big splash via trade.
Sooner than later the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make a big move this off-season. Typically we say that every summer (winter, now I guess) but this time is different. The pressure to perform is at all-time high for Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas.
If we look back at the 2019-20 season, it was a disappointment, but there were many positives. In a shortened season, the Leafs still had four players reach 20-plus goals. Auston Matthews was having his best season yet and was on his way to breaking the Leafs single-season record for goals before the year was cut short due to the pandemic.
Thanks to a shortened season, the team struggled in a short five-game series and their season was finished before they could even make the playoffs. Every team had to go through the same circumstances in the ‘bubble’ so there’s no excuses for the Leafs to lose. Especially, when they were playing in their own building every game.
I know the Leafs didn’t score much in the five qualifying games against Columbus, but everyone knows that’s not the issue for this team. They can out-score anyone in the NHL, but unfortunately got stopped in the biggest moment of the year. Instead, the team needs defense and some good fortune that their two top defenseman won’t get hurt.
It’s always a game of “what-if’s” in sports, but if Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin are healthy all season, the Leafs could have got a bye into the first round. Also, if Muzzin doesn’t have that freak-injury in Game 2 against Columbus, the Leafs most likely win that series. But, like I said before, ‘what-if’s’ don’t matter in professional sports.
Speaking of defense, the Leafs should make a move with the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks to improve their blue-line.
Leafs Acquire Josh Manson in Hypothetical Trade
The trade.
- Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Josh Manson ($4.1M), Ryan Kesler ($6.875M)
- Anaheim Ducks acquire: Andreas Johnsson ($3.4M), Travis Dermott (RFA)
With Corey Perry on the books already for $6.625M, I imagine the Ducks would hate to pay over $13M to two players who aren’t even playing. Kesler is currently on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and doesn’t look like he’ll be returning anytime soon, so as a rich-team, the Leafs can afford to take on his contract and bury it in LTIR, saving the Ducks a ton of money in a tough-financial year.
That may help encourage the Ducks to move on from Josh Manson.
With two years left on his contract at $4.1M per season, Manson would be a great fit on Toronto’s blue-line. He’s a physical defenseman who has had a positive Corsi Rating for most of his career and is a right-handed shot.
Giving up both Dermott and Johnsson may seem like a lot, but they’re both replaceable players if you think about it. Manson is a better fit than Dermott, while the Leafs have more than enough wingers to replace Johnsson. On an old rebuilding Ducks team, both players could be a great fit that the team can build around as well.
Mason’s point production isn’t going to blow anyone away, but he did have seven goals and 37 points in the 2017-18 season (stats: hockeydb.com), which is very strong. Although he’s not known for his scoring ability, being on the ice with the amount of skill that Toronto possesses may help his point totals.
There’s not a ton of trade market for a right-handed defenseman, especially one that makes only $4.1M per season. Therefore, the Leafs should jump on this opportunity, because not only will he be an upgrade on the team’s current blue-line, but his physical mentality will make him a fan-favourite.