Photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Multiple mistakes from Brad Treliving will likely prevent the Leafs from being able to pursue the perfect target expected to hit the trading block.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were victims, yet again, of what has become a season full of disappointing losses. This time, they fell 5-2 to their long-time arch rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, which dropped their record to 9-10-3 on the season.
Major Shake Up Needed in Toronto
Something needs to change for the team, and fast. With the numerous injuries the team has faced, their lack of depth has been on full display all season. If they continue to play like this, they can all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye this season.
On Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman mentioned that Carolina Hurricanes star forward Andrei Svechnikov may soon become available on the trade market after growing disgruntled with his ice time, though the trade price would be steep.
Friedman stated that the Russian winger would be “open to the idea” of being traded, but it would take a “monster offer” for the Hurricanes to agree to it.
Svechnikov May be Perfect Fit for Maple Leafs
The 25-year-old year old winger, who has some sandpaper to his game and is more of a shooter may not be the ideal Mitch Marner replacement, but he has some tools that the Leafs may covet.
Svechnikov has struggled to stay healthy over the past couple of seasons, but he has accumulated 376 points in 499 career NHL games, along with 12 points in 21 games this season.
Maple Leafs Can’t Afford Svechnikov
Players become disgruntled all the time, but that doesn’t mean a team is obligated to trade them. Case in point, the Nick Robertson situation in Toronto. The Leafs are glad they hung onto him now.
In the Hurricanes’ case, this is exactly the situation. Their asking price for Svechnikov is reportedly incredibly steep, which is something the Maple Leafs simply cannot afford.
They do not have their first-round pick this year or next year due to Brad Treliving using them in the Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo trades, and they lack the top prospects needed to facilitate a deal as rich as this one, unless they plan on dangling Easton Cowan and Ben Danford — and there’s no guarantee that the Hurricanes would be interested in either.
While the Maple Leafs may need to make a move to keep their playoff aspirations alive, they will likely need to look elsewhere, as the Hurricanes are in no rush to trade their star winger and even when they opt to do so, the Leafs simply don’t have the assets.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily
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Perfect Target for Leafs Expected to Hit the Trading Block, But Treliving Has Handcuffed the Team
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