The Toronto Maple Leafs have a great mixture of youth and experience, but they could be looking to add more of the latter at the NHL Trade Deadline.
When you look at the some of the reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs have been successful this season, the core-four jump out immediately. Although people continue to inexplicably bash John Tavares and William Nylander, they’re both having good seasons.
The other members of the core, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, are playing like top-five players in the league and have been carrying the Leafs all season. Although the top of the lineup has been contributing, as expected, there have been a number of surprises.
During the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to address depth and leadership. They did this by acquiring Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, Zach Bogosian and re-signing Jason Spezza. All four of those players are veterans to the NHL and have been through every scenario imaginable as professionals.
Although some of these moves were criticized, they’ve all worked out in Toronto’s favor. Thornton isn’t the same player he was five years ago, but his presence in the room and ability to pass the puck is still world-class. Simmonds, when healthy, has provided grit and some secondary scoring.
Bogosian is providing the Leafs a great bottom-six option on defense, while Spezza has turned back the clock over the past few weeks and seems to be scoring every night.
After understanding how easy a veteran has been able to step into this lineup, the Leafs may be looking to add another one at the NHL Trade Deadline.
Here are three veterans the Toronto Maple Leafs should look to acquire at the NHL Trade Deadline.