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There’s another rumour coming out of Edmonton regarding a potential trade with the Maple Leafs and it feels like a trade is inevitable between the two clubs.
Moves can’t be made just yet but teams are certainly doing their homework, and for the Toronto Maple Leafs it’s starting to become a real guessing game as to what they are going to do post-Olympics.
Edmonton wants two particular pieces that the Maple Leafs have
They would love to sell high on their assets however the upper management doesn’t seem to enjoy the idea of going through a potential retooling, so it’s really up in the air as to what moves are going to happen.
Well, a report from David Pagnotta confirms that and it’s starting to feel that a trade is inevitable between the two because frankly — Toronto has everything Edmonton needs.
Pagnotta appeared on Inside Sports and explained the Oilers’ game plan for improving their lineup and his comments paint a pretty clear picture of what they’re looking for:
It sounds like it’s still mid to bottom 6 two way type of player, and somebody big on that backend who can help play a shutdown type role.
Bottom-six two-way player? Shutdown defender? Sounds like Nicolas Roy and Brandon Carlo are right up their alley.
Toronto could end up stealing a haul if they’re willing to give up Carlo and Roy
If Edmonton really wants help then Toronto has the pieces, and while it might not bring a lot of immediate pieces back, if the team can get four or five picks and potentially a prospect (Isaac Howard?) then it would be a great recuperation of their assets.
Carlo would give the Oilers a lot of help on their back end and smooth things out, plus he isn’t afraid to block shots or hit and is known for being a shutdown defender even if his short time in Toronto hasn’t shown it a ton.
The 29-year old has five assists, 67 blocks, 34 hits, 21 PIM and a plus-four in 34 games with the Maple Leafs this year. He missed time earlier with a foot injury that required surgery.
Roy, the return from Vegas for Mitch Marner, would give the Oilers a Cup winner who can play both special teams, either third or fourth line center, and someone under contract at a bargain for only $3-million.
He has 20 points in 54 games with Toronto while winning 53.6% of his face-offs, alongside 58 hits, 26 blocks, a plus-two and only six PIM.
Edmonton holds a bevy of draft picks that Toronto could use, including a 2026 second and 2026 third round pick; picks that could be used to usher in a new era or be used to add a bigger piece in the summer.
Though Bobby McMann is a great choice for the Oilers, so too are Carlo and Roy; and wouldn’t it be something if we saw a blockbuster package involving all three players heading to Edmonton while Toronto restocks in a big way.
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Do you think Toronto should put together a blockbuster trade involving Bobby McMann, Brandon Carlo and Nicolas Roy?