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5 Deadline Trades That Impact Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Chances

By Stephen Nixon

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Taylor Hall #71 of the Boston Bruins skates during the first period of a game against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on April 13, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Taylor Hall #71 of the Boston Bruins skates during the first period of a game against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on April 13, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Anthony Mantha #39 of the Washington Capitals c l. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Mantha Heads to D.C. in Blockbuster Trade

The Trade: 

  • Washington Capitals acquire: Anthony Mantha
  • Detroit Red Wings Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik, 2021 first-round pick and 2022 second-round pick

This was clearly the most shocking move of the NHL Trade Deadline. Nobody expected Detroit to trade a young player who just signed a four-year extension. However, the Red Wings got a very good package in return, and Washington upgraded their team, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

The 26-year-old is essentially another Tom Wilson type of player for Washington. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, he’s a big body who isn’t afraid to stick up for his teammates, but he can also score. Over his five-year career, he’s a two-time 20 goal scorer and was on-pace for that feat again last year and this season if it wasn’t a shortened campaign.

Now that the Capitals have Mantha, they have an amazing top-six filled with skill and sand-paper. Currently paired beside Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, Mantha already made an impact in his first game with Washington, scoring one goal and adding an assist.

Alexander Ovechkin doesn’t look to be slowing down, but his age suggests that he only has a few more prime seasons left in him. As a result, Washington did the right thing by going all-in with this trade and adding to their top-six.

Most of the core was around for the Stanley Cup victory in 2017-18, so they already have the pedigree to win. Now that they’ve added Mantha, they’ll be a scary team to see in the playoffs and one that has a legit chance at winning again.

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