The Toronto Maple Leafs get linked to every player available, so before the inevitable rumours start, let's get out in front of a terrible idea:
No, the Toronto Maple Leafs should not trade for Jacob Trouba, even though it is going to be a conversation that doesn't stop until Trouba is finally traded from the Ducks at the trade deadline.
Trouba is a monster blue-liner known for his crushing hits and he is exactly the kind of player that people love to have in the playoffs. He will also be available fairly cheap and with at least half his salary retained.
But he is washed and the Leafs shouldn't go after him under any circumstances. Unfortunately, Brad Treliving loves name-brand players and he will might just be tempted.
No the Toronto Maple Leafs Should not trade for Jacob Trouba
Yesterday, the New York Rangers forced Jacob Trouba to accept a trade to Anaheim by threatening to put him on waivers. The Anaheim Ducks foolishly let one of the top contending teams in the NHL out of an eight milion cap-hit with no penalty.
What is already a great team can turn around and trade for one of the best players available, whoever that may be. But besides how frustrating that is for every team in the NHL, the Ducks are investing a 4th round pick and some money to turn around and flip Trouba for a larger return at the trade deadline.
One stupid team is going to look at his size, his reputation, and his penchent for making big hits, and they will trade with the Ducks and add Trouba to the lineup for their playoff run.
Trouba is a right-shot defenseman who is only 30, but it's been seven long years since he had a 50 point season and his team tends to get destroyed when he plays.
In six seasons with the Rangers, he posted positive puck-possession numbers just once. The Rangers were outshot in his minutes in all but two years, and this year they're getting just 44% of the shots when he plays.
In seven of 11 NHL seasons, Trouba's team has lost his minutes by real goals. The Rangers were getting a career low 43% of the goals this year when Trouba played. (naturalstattrick.com).
Sure, some team will look at his age and rep and think they can fix him. Maybe they can, but the odds are low. The cost to get him will not be worth it, and any NHL coach is going to automatically put him in the top four, because that's just how it works. He could probably win third pairing minutes, but you don't need to go the trouble to get a double-retained ex-star to win third pairing minutes.
Some team is going to make a very stupid move later this year to acquire Trouba, let us hope it isn't the Toronto Maple Leafs.