Corey Perry, Andrew Peeke, Boone Jenner Rumours Are So, So Stupid

The Toronto Maple Leafs were suddenly inundated with a bunch of trade rumours this week, and as usual, their stupidity and lack of imagination has me shaking my head.

In the past, the Toronto Maple Leafs have followed the OLD HOCKEY GUY PLAYOFF PLAYBOOK to a T.

The thinking being that they have lots of offense, but need to get "playoff types."

This kind of thinking led to the acquisitions of Tomas Plecanek, Nick Foligno and Ryan O'Reilly. Not to mention Luke Schenn, and Ryan Reaves.

Remind me, how'd that work out again?

The Tororonto Maple Leafs Need to Be Better Than These Rumours

Boone Jenner? Andrew Peeke? Corey Perry?

I can see why people would think the Toronto Maple Leafs would want to add these players, but I really hope that the Leafs GM and management group are looking to upgrade in the thing that actually matters:

Talent.

The idea of getting a certain kind of player for the playoffs is as outdated as it is stupid. This kind of thinking is magical nonsense. These kinds of players don't move the needle. Sure, you might win if you trade for Boone Jenner and sign Corey Perry.

That is because if the Leafs goalie gets hot, they are unstoppable with their core.

But if you don't want to leave your playoff performance to random chance, the best thing to do is acquire players who have a large impact on the games they play.

If the Leafs could add two stars - or even just one - it would make a massive difference.

But Boone Jenner isn't going to make any more of a difference than Max Domi.

Corey Perry isn't going to make much more of a difference than Pontus Holmberg.

The Leafs - if they were smart, would add a star defenseman and a star forward to centre their third line. They'd move Robertson up with Matthews and create a great third line around their new star centre, Matthew Knies and Cale Jarnkrok.

Their fourth line should feature Domi, McMann and Steeves - offense from the 4th line is the key, as Jason Spezza taught us. I mean sure, Corey Perry might be fun. He might have some impact on the 4th line, but not that much. It is better to just develop young players.

The Leafs don't need Corey Perry any more than they needed Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Tomas Plekanec, or Nick Foligno. Getting the old-school vet is a lazy old-school move that teams should know better than by now.

And the Leafs certainly don't need Andrew Peeke when they have Simon Benoit, and about 5 other 3rd pairing options.

It's time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to add stars to their team - not grinders. We've been down this same road six or seven times and it doens't work. Let's do something new.