The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a nice little break from hockey during the Four Nations Cup, but rumours and trade talk are keeping fans intrigued.
Heading into the 2025 playoffs, one thing is clear, the Toronto Maple Leafs are not as strong of a cup contender as they should be, and need improvements.
One name that keeps coming up is two, likely because its easy and people are lazy, is two -time Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. who is currently on year two of a three year deal that pays him $2.75 Million per season.
The question is whether or not Schenn make sense with the Maple Leafs? The Leafs need puck-moving defenseman, have a well stacked cache of solid defensive defensemen, and would almost certainly deploy the 34 year old too high up in the lineup. That said, on the 3rd pairing he'd be an upgrade over what they have there now.
Toronto Maple Leafs Rumours and Rumblings
Recently, David Pagnotta from the Fourth Period stated the Maple Leafs and John Tavares are closing in on a three-year deal worth $7 Million per season.
I've been very critical of John Tavares, but feel an extension wouldn't be the worst thing, however, at a $7 million price tag... woof.
The former first overall pick, in my opinion is a very good complimentary piece, but he is on the decline. Tavares had a great start the season scoring 19-goals in his first 37 games when he seemed to change his style of game to quick touches and being a supporting role on his lines. However, over the last eleven games where he has just two goals he has reverted back to to holding on to the puck much to long and trying to beat players around the blue line and neutral zones which results in lost offensive opportunities.
The soon to be 35-year old is just going to see his speed decline even more which is going to see his value on the team diminish. I would be ok on a one-year deal at $7 million, however, anything further and you may see a contract that is an albatross on the team.
Maple Leafs Could Acquire the Younger Schenn
Sportnet's Insider Elliott Frideman recently stated that he believed that the Toronto Maple Leafs were a possibility to land St. Louis Blues forward Brayden Schenn, stating "While a number of teams have reported to be in the mix for Schenn's services - the Toronto Maple Leafs among the landing sports that would seem to make sense"
Schenn who plays up the middle would be an immediate upgrade on the Maple Leafs third line as he brings energy and still has a bit of offence to his game. However, he also brings three more years at $6.5 million per season on his contract, making this an completely ridiculous idea.
Even at a retained price, Braydon Schenn is on the wrong side of thirty and his game is in decline. Players like Yanni Gourde and Scott Laughton, while not ideal as "the biggest upgrade they make" are still a lot more attractive than Schenn.
If Schenn had half of his salary retained and the cost to acquire him was minimal, and in addition, the Leafs also made a larger upgrade on their roster elsewhere, he would be an acceptable 3C.