Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
According to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, the Toronto Maple Leafs want to bring Kiefer Sherwood in but they seemingly lack any of the appropriate assets to do so.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs under pressure to make a move this season, the question has become whether they are going to pursue a top-four defenseman, a top-six forward, a backup goalie or maybe even all three.
But there’s also a question of whether or not the team is going to be able to afford a deal considering they lack any real assets and shouldn’t really use Easton Cowan or their last first-round pick unless it’s a can’t miss deal.
Toronto seems out of luck with Kiefer Sherwood
Which is unfortunate news considering that one of their targets is likely going to cost at least a first-round pick — and that price doesn’t seem to budge.
According to Rick Dhaliwal, Canucks Insider and co-host of Donnie and Dhali, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of interest in Vancouver forward Kiefer Sherwood but the combination of his price and Toronto’s minimal assets cause an issue:
Maple Leafs like him but they don’t have the assets.
Sherwood feels like an anomaly when it comes to an NHL player. He’s got great hands, a quick shot, has a lot of speed but also hits at an impossible rate.
Nothing has stopped Toronto from overpaying before however
This season, Sherwood has 17 goals in 44 games but also comes with a minus-12 rating with an astounding 210 hits; an average of nearly five hits a game. He’s fearless and also has no issues getting into the rough stuff if need be.
He’s a perfect Craig Berube type player but the issue then becomes is this a rental or someone they can keep long-term?
Toronto has their own breakout player to worry about in Bobby McMann and knowing Sherwood will cost as much or more – can they afford it? Can they figure out a way to convince him to be a rental and get a cheaper deal?
Unlikely but at this point, there is not much Toronto can do but hope that Vancouver is desperate enough to let him go but do so without squeezing teams for every last asset.
Easier said than done, and for Brad Treliving he has a lot of work (and a bit of luck) to do if he truly wants to bring Sherwood into the fold.
Previously on Hockey Patrol