After having a solid first half of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs look to keep that momentum as they head down the stretch in the second half in preparation for the playoffs.
To help with their cause, the Toronto Maple Leafs will likely be making at least a move or two at the trade deadline to bolster the team’s chances at winning the Stanley Cup.
Some of the potential moves that the Maple Leafs could make may involve an upgrade at center for third-line, and perhaps a boost on the blueline as well.
But what the Leafs should really do is to go big and try to add a potential game-changer to take this team to an unbeatable level. With that, Toronto should do all they can to acquire superstar Sidney Crosby and give him that one more chance at glory.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Give Sidney Crosby His One More Chance at Glory
It may appear to be a difficult task for the Leafs to accomplish, since after all, Crosby has been so dedicated to his Pittsburgh Penguins team that he has spent his entire NHL career thus far with that one and only club. Not only is he the captain and leader of the Penguins, he has helped the franchise to three Stanley Cup titles over his 20-year NHL career.
However, the Penguins have been trending downwards in recent years. Their main core has been getting up there in age and their goaltending situation has been shaky to say the least, especially ever since the 2022-23 NHL season. More significantly, Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs in each of their past two seasons, after making it in the previous 11 seasons before then.
With the Penguins potentially looking to be headed towards a third consecutive year of being left out of the playoff picture, giving Crosby a legitimate chance at a Stanley Cup once again before he ultimately calls it a career might just be enough to entice him to finally move on from Pittsburgh.
As for the Leafs, the addition of Crosby would instantly transform them into top contenders. That is because by inserting him into their lineup, he will automatically give them superior depth down the middle and the opportunity to form a “super line” whenever needed to demolish the opposition. In addition, Crosby has the innate ability to make those that he plays with into star-like players, just ask Chris Kunitz, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. More importantly, at age 37, Crosby hasn’t lost too much of his step just yet, as he is still putting up more than a point per game this season, with 12 goals and 36 assists for 48 points in 45 games played.
In terms of getting the numbers to work, the Leafs will likely need some of Crosby’s salary to be retained, along with Toronto needing to move a player for some much-needed cap space. But to get a generational superstar like Crosby even at the twilight of his career, the Leafs should not pass up on such a rare opportunity. (All stats from NHL.com)
As a result, the Maple Leafs should forget about minor trade moves or moves to address a particular need. Instead, they should go for the biggest fish and experience what it really means to win with real star power. It is about time for Crosby to add a fourth championship to his resume while doing the improbable in helping the Leafs finally end their Stanley Cup drought.