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Expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to Win Any Trade They Make

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes looks for a puck to tip between Jack Campbell #36 and Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Christian Dvorak #18 of the Arizona Coyotes looks for a puck to tip between Jack Campbell #36 and Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been playing brilliant hockey as of late, but they’re still more than likely going to add to the lineup.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right? Well, when it comes to this current Toronto Maple Leafs roster, general manager Kyle Dubas has continued to stress that he’s open for business. Whether it’s a high-end prospect or draft pick, don’t be shocked if either asset gets traded before the NHL Trade Deadline on April 12.

Speaking of Dubas and trades, over his tenure, the Leafs have won almost every trade they’ve made. They would probably like a re-do on the Nazem Kadri trade, but they still received a top-nine forward in Alex Kerfoot and NHL defenseman in Tyson Barrie.

Barrie clearly didn’t work out, but it was only one season, so they’re fortunately not tied to him for a long time. Kerfoot is a fine third-line centre, but you can definitely improve on him as well. However, if Toronto moves on from Kerfoot, which they’ll most likely do, it’s possible that the team could receive a similar player, if not better, as Kadri and the butterfly effect of this trade could work out in the Leafs favor afterall.

Expect the Leafs to win any trade they make

Kyle Dubas has made 31 trades as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and almost every trade has worked out. Although he moved on from legit NHLers, he was able to secure draft-capital and prospects in return, that are replaceable players.

The most positive trades that Dubas has made as the boss were all mid-season trades, and both of them happened to be with the LA Kings.

In back-to-back seasons, Dubas found a top-four defenseman, physical forward and now a Vezina Trophy type starting goalie, all by making trades with LA.

  • February 5, 2020: Toronto Maple Leafs receive Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford in exchange for Trevor Moore, 2020 third round pick and 2021 conditional draft pick
  • January 28, 2019: Toronto Maple Leafs receive Jake Muzzin in exchange for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi and 2019 first round pick

If you look back at those trades, you can see that the Leafs essentially gave up nothing for a starting goalie and top-four defenseman. No offense to the former Leafs prospects and draft picks, but they would never have been able to make an impact like Muzzin and Campbell.

No fan assumed that Campbell would be the starting goalie, but I’d be shocked if it never crossed Dubas’ mind when he made the deal. He’s known Campbell since his junior days and understood his talent, and the fact that he was able to secure him, especially on a contract of only $1.6M, is a huge transaction.

If Toronto trades Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Nick Robertson and/or a first-round pick, don’t get upset Leafs fans. Instead, understand that the executive team is only doing it because they know it’ll help this roster and get them closer to a Stanley Cup.

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Also, based on the history of Dubas, he’s more than likely going to win the trade and not only help the current team, but the future as well.

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