Latest Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumor Is Ridiculous

The latest Toronto Maple Leafs trade rumor has some sparked some controversy, but once you hear who proposed it, it’ll make sense.

Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun has his fair share of critics. It’s kind of funny how Toronto Maple Leafs fans hate on him so much, when he’s essentially a microcosm of Leafs fans.

Whenever Simmons actually writes something that’s compelling, nobody seems to recognize it or respect him. However, once he proposes something as ridiculous as the trade rumor we’re going to discuss, people go insane.

It’s the exact same as the Leafs. For years, this team could win a number of games, make the playoffs and push one of the best teams in the league to seven games, but just because they lost, the completely ridiculous “trade William Nylander” community comes out to yell.

Whether you like Simmons’ writing or not, he’s still a voice who’s been covering sports in Toronto for 40 years and needs a little respect. Similarly to the Leafs. Although they haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967, when they play well, they deserve the recognition.

Despite what I just previously wrote about Simmons, his latest trade proposal doesn’t make sense to me.

Toronto Maple Leafs Should Not Give Up Sandin or Robertson for Foligno

Here’s the exact quote from Simmons of The Toronto Sun:

"“The Leafs have next to no salary cap room. In order to acquire anyone — the name Nick Foligno keeps popping up — they would have to move other assets and money, certainly Alex Kerfoot for example, maybe one of the young defensemen Rasmus Sandin or Timothy Liljegren, maybe the young sniper Nick Robertson, maybe an early-round draft pick”"

Before we talk about the potential players going to Columbus, let’s talk about Foligno.  The current captain of the Blue Jackets makes $5.5M and has a no-move-clause in his contract. Not only that, but the 33-year-old is a pending free agent this off-season.

In a perfect world, Foligno is a player who would fit nicely into the Leafs top-six. He’s a gritty veteran and a proven leader. He’s obviously someone you would want on your team, but at $5.5M, the Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t give up one of their high-end prospects.

I know Tampa Bay overpaid for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow last season, but they did it mostly with draft picks. Sure, they traded away prospect Nolan Foote and Anthony Greco, but by all accounts, they’re not up to the standards of a Sandin, Liljegren or Robertson.

I have no issue with Toronto inquiring with Columbus and trying to make this work. However, it shouldn’t cost very much to get a 33 year old checking centre.  You can’t give up Robertson, or anything close,  for a team who’s stuck against the cap.

The same thing applies with Liljegren and Sandin. Personally, I think both of these prospects mean too much to the organization to flip them for a veteran making that kind of money who will only help this year. Kyle Dubas loves players with term, so although this is the year they need to go “all-in”, their window is still longer than this one season.

Trading for Foligno makes sense in theory, but it doesn’t when the Leafs top prospects are in play. Kerfoot and a draft pick is the only scenario where I’d personally entertain it. If the Leafs are giving up one of their top-three draft picks, they better be bringing in a sexier name than this.

Since the Leafs are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders this season, the next month will be filled with trade rumors. Strap yourself in for a wild ride of emotions.