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A Potential Defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs to Trade For

By Gordon Munro

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: General manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: General manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) pursues the play against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) pursues the play against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire?

If there is any player the Leafs should go after for Rielly’s next partner, it’s Dylan DeMelo.

There are a myriad of reasons but one of the biggest selling points is his contract. DeMelo is 29 and is signed until 2024, with a cap hit of only $3 million. That’s a bargain deal for his abilities, which I will get to later.

First, let’s look at why the Leafs might choose to upgrade that position.

Assuming Muzzin returns next season, which based on his end of season press conference, it sounds likely. This means if the combinations at the end of the season and playoffs are any indication, him and likely Brodie play together. As well, with the emergence of Sandin and Liljegren, it would make the most sense for them to get a regular spot in the rotation.

Since they have a history as a pairing at both the AHL and NHL levels — with amazing results — they will likely pair up. This leaves Rielly and Holl as the only other blueliners currently under team control to play together.

It could be a coincidence but they’ve never really been a pairing for any length of time. They only played together for 45 minutes all of last season over 48 games. In their time on the ice together, they’ve had positive results but the sample size is hardly large enough to come to any big conclusions.

If Keefe’s reluctance to use them as a pairing isn’t just a coincidence, this would make upgrading on Holl an important issue.

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