The Toronto Maple Leafs biggest need is a high-end defenseman that can put their current players into spots more compatible with their talents and abilities.
The New York Islanders have found success with their best defenseman on the shelf (injured since January 20th) and are considering moving him in a trade. Noah Dobson is such a perfect fit for the Maple Leafs that there is no excuse for them not to land this player.
Dobson is 6'4, right-handed, an elite puck-mover, and a no-doubt top-pairing defenseman. He is just 25 and, best of all, he makes just $4 million dollars, which means the Leafs can fit him on their current roster under the salary cap by including Max Domi in the trade going the other way.
The Leafs need forward and defensive depth, but the one thing they can't compete without is a number-one defenseman. The fact that their is one available who could actually fit on their team within the salary cap is almost too good to be true.
The Best Fit for the Maple Leafs Is Now Rumoured to Be Available for Trade
By adding Dobson, the Leafs would have a Morgan Rielly - Noah Dobson top pairing and their scoring would instantly improve. Their top pairing would be perfectly suited to take advantage of all the elite goal scorers the Leafs have on their roster.
One of the Leafs problems this year has been creating 5v5 offense, and that is because their blue-line lacks puck-moving ability. Dobson solves this, but he also pushes OEL to the third pairing where the Leafs currently get zero offense.
Though Leafs coaches have always tried to force-feed Rielly defensive defenseman like Luke Schenn and Ilya Lyubushkin as a partner, that never works. Rielly's best minutes have always come when he's paired with another strong puck-mover: his numbers with TJ Brodie, Tyson Barrie and Jake Gardiner prove it.
With a Rielly - Dobson top pairing and a Tanev-McCabe shut-down pairing, as well as a competent third-pairing, the Leafs would go from having the worst blue-line out of any reasonable contender to one of the best.
What Should the Trade Be?
The Islanders aren't that interested in rebuilding, so they're going to want players that can help now. The Leafs should offer their first round pick, Bobby McMann and Easton Cowan. Max Domi would also be included for cap reasons, though he has no value to the Islanders and actually makes it so the rest of the package the Leafs pay has to be higher.
The Islanders are looking for an NHL player who can help now, and that is Bobby McMann. Though it hurts to lose him, the Leafs can make due without him as long as it means adding an elite defenseman to the roster.
Losing Cowan and the first doesn't hurt at all as it's expected. The Leafs would have to be completely incompetent to forgo upgrading their team and hanging on to either asset.
The Leafs roster has earned a major upgrade, and it's clear that upgrade has to be a top-pairing defenseman. As far as available ones who can fit within the team's salary structure, there aren't a lot of options. Noah Dobson is a no-brainer and Treliving has no choice but to act. I think this trade gets it done and sets the Toronto Maple Leafs up to be the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Champions.