Top 3 Centres Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade For
The Toronto Maple Leafs have great depth down the middle, but don’t be surprised if they look to acquire another centre by the NHL Trade Deadline.
Over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have continued to add to the centre-ice position at the deadline. Whether it was Tomas Plekanec or Brian Boyle, the team went out and acquired an established professional to play on the fourth line.
It was definitely weird to see the long-time Montreal Canadiens player, Plekanec, dress in the Blue and White with Toronto, but he was a great presence on the team. He scored two goals and added four points in seven playoff games, before ultimately being on a team that fell short in Game 7.
Boyle played a very similar role to Plekanec. He only added two assists in six playoff games with Toronto, but he did provide one of the best memories in recent years. Boyle had the primary assist on Kasperi Kapanen’s double overtime goal in Game 2 against the Washington Capitals, which sent Leafs fans into a frenzy.
Both Boyle and Plekanec provided a ton of leadership to a team that didn’t have much, so it’ll be interesting to see what direction this year’s team goes. They already have a wealth of experience, so they could be fine with adding a younger player.
Regardless of who they add, it’ll be a bottom-six player, as the team already has Auston Matthews and John Tavares up front. By all accounts, Alex Kerfoot is on his way out, based on how Pierre Engvall has played lately, so his $3.5M cap-hit could be used to help acquire a better player, or one who fits this roster better.
Although the Leafs have been mostly linked to a left-winger, don’t be surprised if they search for a centre as well.
No. 3: Sam Reinhart
There’s not too many positives when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres. Not only did the team go through a terrible Covid-19 scare this season, but they also lost 18 games in a row.
However, there is one positive and his name is Sam Reinhart.
Currently on the last year of a $5.2M contract, before becoming a Restricted Free Agent (RFA), Reinhart has had a good season. He leads the team with 13 goals and 24 points in 36 games (stats: hockeydb.com) and is only one of two players with double-digit goals on the roster.
The former second-overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft is someone the Sabres should want to build around. However, they’re a dumpster-fire and don’t seem like they’ll be playoff-bound for a few years. As a result, it may make sense to move on from Reinhart for a big haul.
Although Reinhart is a pending RFA and someone the Leafs probably won’t be able to re-sign, they could trade his rights to another team before he becomes a free agent, so they could get something back in return for him.
With four 20-goal seasons in his past five years, Reinhart has a scoring touch and can be a huge addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Paying a big price of prospects and draft picks and a potential roster player for Reinhart would be well worth it, as Toronto is in a win-now mode and wants to compete for the Stanley Cup this year.
No. 2: Scott Laughton
One name that is continuing to draw a lot of interest with the Toronto Maple Leafs is Scott Laughton. The Oakville, ON native is a much more affordable player than Reinhart, making only $2.3M and is a pending UFA.
Whether you re-sign Laughton or not, that shouldn’t matter with this acquisition. Laughton isn’t the flashiest name or the most offensively skilled player, but he’s a player that could be a huge help in the playoffs.
Similar to how the Tampa Bay Lightning paid a big price for Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman last year, Laughton could be that same type of player that the Leafs go all-in for. Laughton is clearly a third-line centre, but he brings an energy and physicality to the game that Alex Kerfoot doesn’t.
Laughton is an effective player on both sides of the ice, however his best skillset is his defensive ability. During his time with the Philadelphia Flyers, he’s been a great penalty-killer, which is a huge asset, especially in the playoffs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could obviously use more offense, but they’d be better suited at finding a player who is defensively responsible, can win draws and hit. And that’s exactly what Laughton would bring.
No. 1: Tyler Bozak
Bozak left the Toronto Maple Leafs a few years ago because the team couldn’t afford him, but as a pending UFA, the team may be able to swing a deal for a reunion.
The St. Louis Blues are fading and could end up missing the playoffs this year. With a few young core pieces still on the roster, they may be inclined to move on from their aging centre.
The 35-year-old is a perfect third or fourth line centre and would be able to provide a ton of experience from the Blues’ Stanley Cup victory a few years ago. After spending nine years in Toronto, and making a name for himself, you’d have to think he’d be happy to return.
Bozak’s $5M cap-hit is expensive, but it’s not impossible for them to acquire him at this point.
When it comes to acquiring a player on an American team, they still have to quarantine for seven days, so you’re going to be getting limited games from them after the trade deadline. Instead of getting a player who’s unfamiliar with the Toronto market, it could be a benefit to bring back a player who knows it well.
3 Left-Wingers Leafs Should Trade For. dark. Next
Bozak’s stats have declined over the years but you know he’d be rejuvenated to join the Leafs and try to win a Stanley Cup where it all started for him.