Earlier, we had taken a look at the top defenseman trade targets that the Toronto Maple Leafs should pursue as the NHL trade deadline fast approaches.
With injuries hitting the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline recently, as Chris Tanev looks to be out for a while and Oliver Ekman-Larsson hopefully is dealing with something more minor in nature, one of their main focus should be to add significant depth at the position heading into the stretch run.
But aside from defense, the Leafs need to round out their offensive attack with a legitimate third line center. This particular need is necessary after their depth was challenged at the position earlier in the season due to injuries to Auston Matthews, Max Domi, and to some extent David Kampf. By obtaining the much-needed two-way help, it could make the team unstoppable.
As a result, what top trade targets at center are available ahead of the NHL trade deadline in which the Leafs should take aim at?
Top Center Trade Targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Trade Deadline
Ryan Donato, Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Donato has been a renaissance playing for the struggling Chicago Blackhawks this season. Playing up and down in their lineup as well as in different positions rotating between center and the wing, Donato has already surpassed his previous career highs in goals, assists and points.
To date, the 28-year-old has posted 19 goals, 21 assists for 40 points in just 57 games played, ranking him among the top three in Blackhawks scoring. He is also part of Chicago’s top power play unit, with 10 of his points coming with the man advantage. All of this coming while averaging just over 15 minutes of ice time per night makes Donato an attractive deadline piece for any contender to pursue.
With the Blackhawks also having some defenseman assets that would appeal to the Leafs (Connor Murphy) as well, could Toronto repeat what they did in 2023 when they added an impact forward (Sam Lafferty) and an elite defenseman (Jake McCabe) from Chicago at the same time?