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The Toronto Maple Leafs Shouldn’t Trade for Big Names This Summer

By Jeff Borsuk

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

This offseason, there is likely to be some marquee names moved in the NHL. While it may seem like a good idea to acquire one, the Toronto Maple Leafs should steer clear.

There is always rumours circulating around the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Some have merit while most are either speculation or complete fabrications. With the team eliminated early from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, those rumours seem to have begun swirling almost immediately.

We will explore a number of different players and identify why each of them should not join the Leafs next season. We will begin with one of the most talented players on the planet, Jack Eichel.

Jack Eichel

Eichel’s displeasure with the Buffalo Sabres has been reported on ad nauseam. He is looking to move on from the team that drafted him just one spot behind Connor McDavid in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Eichel’s play can only be described as elite. Normally, his level of ability is the sort that all clubs want within their organization. He It seems ridiculous to write, but the Leafs need to avoid the temptations to bring this particular talent to Toronto.

In order for the Maple Leafs to acquire the 24 year old star, they would have to part ways with something very valuable to the team, perhaps their own 24 year old. Many are pointing to Mitch Marner as a potential return for the Sabres in a would-be trade.

With Marner earning an AAV of $10.903 M and having a disappointing showing in the playoffs, many Leafs fans are willing to part ways with the high producing winger. However, moving him for Eichel doesn’t make sense. That’s because Eichel’s neck injury makes him too risky an acquisition. Marner is still an incredibly valuable player even if he’s earning big money. To possibly trade him for a player who is currently rehabbing a herniated disk in his neck without knowing that he will ever return to 100-percent is too big a gamble.

In order for a trade to make sense for the Leafs, it won’t for the Sabres. Kevyn Adams, Buffalo’s general manager, isn’t just going to give away their star without getting a spectacular return. If Eichel wasn’t injured, things would be different but sadly, at this time, the Leafs must pass on Eichel.

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