With the NHL’s annual trade deadline just over a week away, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving is under pressure to do something……anything. Although this year’s squad has challenged all season for the Atlantic Division lead, it would be an exaggeration to call them a favourite to win the Stanley Cup.
The defensive depth, as it has been for years, continues to be suspect. New addition Chris Tanev has paired with Jake McCabe to form a surprisingly good shutdown pairing, but Morgan Rielly has had an off year, and the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs defenders are basically just filling roster spots.
In net, the Leafs are in good shape as long as both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz remain healthy. Both have played great hockey this season when not overworked, combining to create the ideal tandem. Neither of Matt Murray or Denis Hildeby appear capable of contributing much if called upon, so there is no Plan B if injuries crop up again.
Up front, the top guys are getting their points, but huge questions remain about whether or not they can get over the hump and go on a long playoff run. Mitch Marner may or may not remain a Leaf past this season, but there’s little chance he’s getting traded.
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The biggest issue has been a severe lack of secondary scoring. Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann are both having career years, but outside of the top six, the scoresheet is bare. Nick Robertson has 10 goals, but there’s a good chance he gets traded by the deadline. After him, the next highest scoring Toronto Maple Leaf forwards are Steven Lorentz, Max Pacioretty and Pontus Holmberg, each with a whopping 5 goals.
So, yes, there are a number of holes that Treliving could try to fill that would improve the playoff odds at least a little bit. The problem is that Toronto’s trade capital is extremely limited. They have next year’s first round draft pick (this year’s pick is already gone), Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Ben Danford. That's it.
I can’t envision any scenario where Treliving packages everything up in a deal for one star player, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle while truly leaving nothing in the cupboard. His job security is already in question, with Brendan Shanahan’s tenure as President possibly coming to an end this summer. Making a desperation deal like that is how you ensure getting fired.
That being said, what’s the most bang for the buck he could get for ONE of those assets, plus maybe a sweetener (say, Nick Robertson)?
I have to nominate Philadelphia Flyer Scott Laughton. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been searching for years for a viable third line centre, and Laughton fits the bill. Laughton currently sits with 27 points in 55 games (stats per hockeydb.com), right at the half a point per game pace he has scored at the last few years. He won’t light up the scoreboard, but he will shore up the secondary scoring.
Perhaps more importantly, Laughton is a strong two-way player with some grit and heart, something the Toronto Maple Leafs desperately need more of. He’s under contract for one more season at a cap hit of $3.0M, so the financials shouldn’t be a problem.
Given the fact that this season’s Stanley Cup tourney looks to be wide open, Treliving needs to make this move now. He can’t give away the farm (what’s left of it), but more strength up the middle will give the Leafs a much better chance of making a long playoff run.