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One of the latest Toronto Maple Leafs rumors sounds a lot like a mistake the team made at last season’s trade deadline.
One of the latest Toronto Maple Leafs rumors seems logical on the surface. But under the hood, it comes with a significant risk.
The rumor in question pertains to the Maple Leafs’ purported interest in St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk.
A December 19 piece in The Athletic discussed the potential motivation the Blues have for moving Faulk. The veteran defenseman played his 1,000th NHL game in Toronto a few weeks ago. While seasoned, he remains a valuable piece to just about any team.
The Maple Leafs could use more guys like him. But that’s where the risk lies. He’s a veteran defenseman with another year left on his contract. Does that sound familiar?
If it doesn’t ring any bells yet, let’s take it a step further. In The Athletic piece, insider Chris Johnston explains the rationale behind a team like the Maple Leafs wanting Faulk:
“Faulk is the kind of player contenders look to add before every trade deadline. Steady, experienced and versatile, he can help raise the bar on most blue lines in the league. Some potential suitors will appreciate that he’s not on an expiring contract because it would mean they’re expending assets on someone they’ll have for at least two playoff runs.”
That checks off all the boxes, but the potential price tag on Faulk should raise plenty of red flags:
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the market ends up this season, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Faulk return a conditional first-round pick and prospect based on comparable trades from the past.”
That sounds exactly like what the Maple Leafs gave up for Brandon Carlo last season. And there’s no need to remind everyone of how that deal has gone.
Justin Faulk Is Not Brandon Carlo
It’s unfair to correlate the awful Carlo trade to Faulk. They are different players, and different outcomes could occur. But the parallels are eerily similar. That’s why there’s a heightened risk of repeating past mistakes.
The thought of giving another first-rounder, which the Maple Leafs don’t have, and another prospect, which the Leafs don’t really have, is mind-shocking.
If anything, Brad Treliving should be thinking about unloading players the club doesn’t need anymore for picks and prospects. The aim wouldn’t necessarily be a rebuild, but collecting pieces the team can later flip.
Maple Leafs Must Get Younger
If there’s one thing Easton Cowan has proven this season, it is that the Maple Leafs must get younger. The injection of youth and drive by Cowan this season has been a silver lining.
That’s why, instead of targeting players like Justin Faulk, the Maple Leafs should be looking at younger players. Faulk makes sense for a team that’s one or two pieces away from a Stanley Cup.
But for the Leafs, Faulk would just be another expensive experiment. The club can’t afford to let more pieces slip away. The danger of a rebuild/retool is ever-present. That’s why having as many futures as possible is worthwhile.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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