Should the Toronto maple Leafs Stand Pat at the Trade Deadline?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing well and are on the buying list heading into the trade frenzy
I have always preached that the Toronto Maple Leafs needed something. That may be depth, a defenseman, or even a player with a physical presence. After a busy offseason, the team doesn’t have any holes.
During the team’s rebuild years back in 2015, they lacked skill but had some physical players on the team. Over the years, the Leafs drafted well and developed their skilled players. That saw the depletion of their defensemen and the team’s physical presence.
This past offseason, general manager Kyle Dubas went to work and changed Toronto from a skilled team to a great one. Toronto made seven free-agent signings that impacted their lineup a ton. The biggest names were defenseman T.J. Brodie and forwards Wayne Simmonds and Joe Thornton.
Their other signings give the team more depth and added physicality. That would include winger Jimmy Vesey, goalie Michael Hutchinson, and defenseman Zach Bogosian.
Despite all the additions, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams rumored to add to their team. Darren Dreger of TSN reported that the team wants a forward “in the middle of the lineup.” He is referring to someone either on their third line or to fill in for Thornton or Simmonds.
One of the names brought up was Mikael Granlund from the Nashville Predators. Another name circling is Bobby Ryan, who is beyond his best years.
There are options out there, as long as Dubas is willing to pay the price. Many of them are rentals with their contracts expiring this offseason. That may not be as much of a concern as the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken takes place this summer, and Dubas may want to save a roster spot.
Before we even get into who the Leafs should trade for, we need to look at where the team stands right now. From there, we can assess what they are lacking.
In 24 games this season, the Leafs have been the top team in the NHL. They lead the way with 38 points, which is seven more than the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning. Their +31 goal differential ranks them second in the league and is only one goal behind the first-place Tampa.
Superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are third and fifth in the NHL for total points. Add to that ten starting Leafs with at least 0.5 points per game. Only two starting players in Toronto have a negative plus-minus.
The entire team is having success, and that is why the team is winning. Even with countless players missing time with injuries, the team has played well. That includes holding the Edmonton Oilers without a goal in back-to-back games on February 27th and March 1st.
In the two games, Toronto was playing without Matthews, Simmonds, and goaltender Frederick Anderson. For the second one against Edmonton, the Leafs played without those same players and their backup goaltender Jack Campbell.
The Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the best duo in the NHL in back-to-back games without their top two goaltenders and their number one center. Depth pushed the team to win without their best talents.
Toronto has more than enough depth among their forwards. They can call upon Adam Brooks, Nic Petan, or Jimmy Vesey if injuries creep up.
Depth among their defensemen is also not a problem. The likes of Mikko Lehtonen, Rasmus Sandin, and Timothy Liljegren are all able to step in. Oddly enough, Toronto’s depth at goaltender has been beyond exceptional. Their third-string goaltender Michael Hutchinson has the second-best save percentage among goalies with at least four games played.
The team is first for goals scored per game and fourth in goals against per game. Their top players are putting up points, and their depth players are pitching in.
The Leafs are not hitting a ton, but that doesn’t mean they lack a physical presence. Bogosian, Simmonds, Thornton, and Jake Muzzin can step up for their teammates and lay the body.
Making a Trade
By making a trade, Toronto would bring in a player hoping that he would fit in and perform. They would also have to give something up. That may be a roster player, a prospect, or draft picks.
If the team is playing great, and Dubas believes they will continue playing like that, why make a change to the roster? That tells me that either he doesn’t think the Leafs will continue their success, or he plans on grabbing a “no-brainer” player.
Grabbing a player that is playing well and you can’t say no to will cost quite a penny. Who on the trade market won’t compromise the team today or in the future? Someone that does not have a high salary cap because we all know Toronto’s tight cap situation.
If Dubas somehow grabs a forward that can contribute to the team long-term, making a trade wouldn’t be such a bad idea. The issue is most forwards that are available would be rentals with contracts about to expire.
I’m not a fan of trading away the future when things are going great unless there is a way to keep that player. The team is playing very well right now, so why change it up?
The majority of the team will return next season. The Leafs have many young defensemen and forwards in their system ready to be called up from the Marlies. Yes, adding a rental piece can help the team win it all this season. The problem is whoever the team goes out to grab will have to be THAT much better than the player replaced.
On top of needing an impactful upgrade, the Leafs only have only $50 K in cap space. That means the contract they take on must be lower than the one they trade away.
Factoring in the cap situation mans Toronto may have to give up a little more so the other team retains some salary. That can be a late-round draft pick. While they aren’t worth much, it is one extra pick than needed.
Leafs Top Ten Prospects. dark. Next
The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing great, and they are Stanley Cup contenders. Let the team play. If a significant upgrade is not available, the Leafs should not make a trade.