Turns Out the Toronto Maple Leafs Added 2 x Superstars at the Deadline
The Toronto Maple Leafs trade deadline was, at least at first, weird and confusing. I didn’t like it at first, and was very disappointed that they didn’t go after Timo Meier or Erik Karlsson.
But you can’t argue with results, and since being acquired, both Jake McCabe and Ryan O’Reilly have performed at a superstar level for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
At the trade deadline the Leafs added two superstar players who, cumulatively, combine to be the best additions anyone made at the trade deadline. It might be an exaggeration to call it the best ever, but at least in the modern era, I cannot find an example of an already stacked team adding a top centre, and a top defenseman to their lineup at the same time.
The weird and confusing part was moving Pierre Engvall and Rasmus Sandin who put up incredible stats with the Leafs over the last two seasons and appeared to be coming into his own as a top-four defenseman.
Engvall was one of, if not the best, defensive bottom-six players in the NHL. They were cheap, and they were very successful, and moving them was surprising.
The logic was obviously to get something for Sandin before his potential expired, and because once they got McCabe, there was really nowhere to play him. Pretty much the same with Engvall who was replaced with tougher players whose might not technically be as good, but whose play style is a lot more inspirational.
To top it off, they traded for Luke Schenn who was clearly done and is clearly terrible. That aside, everything has worked out wonderfully.
Especially the two superstar acquisitions.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Ryan O’Reilly and Jake McCabe
The Leafs got O’Reilly dirt-cheap. He cost three draft picks, none of them high, and came with Noel Acciari. O’Reilly’s cap-hit is under $2 million. Funny enough, if the Leafs actually win the Cup, or even if they finish top four, the draft pick they got for Sandin will actually be higher than the one they paid for O’Reilly.
They paid next year’s first and a 2026 2nd to get Jake Mccabe, who is probably now their best defenseman.
I was against the rumours to get both these players. I figured McCabe was just a checker overrrated on a bad team, and that O’Reily was done. Of course I was assuming that both players would each cost more than it turned out to cost to get both of them.
On top of that, they have been awesome, so I’ve never been so happy to be wrong.
Check the stats: The Leafs outscored the opposition 20-8 with McCabe on the ice. They had 30 more scoring chances than their opponent and his xGoals were 54%.
His most common partner has been Brodie followed by Liljegren. Since Rielly is way more effective with Brodie, the Leafs top-four should be obvious, but who knows what they’ll do.
McCabe- Liljegren
Rielly- Brodie
Giordano – Holl
That is their best lineup.
As for O’Reilly he scored almost 2 and a half points per hour at 5v5 (those are superstar numbers) which was ahead of Tavares and just slightly below Nylander. In addition his XGoals was the highest it’s been since 18-19. (all stats naturalstattrick.com).
Statistically, the Leafs added a #1 defenseman and a Centre who is better than Tavares.
Next. 3 Players That Have Not Earned Playoff Ice-Time. dark
They’ll beat Tampa this year because they have the best blue-line in the NHL and 5 superstar forwards.