Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to make a splash and get their retool started without sacrificing losing, they should be first in line for St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou.
There’s been a lot of talk recently about if the Toronto Maple Leafs and if they are going to end up retooling their roster, or keeping things as is while they try to fight for a playoff push.
So what if there was a way the team could end up killing two birds with one stone?
Kyrou trade talks heating up ahead of trade deadline
If the Maple Leafs wanted to kickstart their retool but not risk potentially missing out on the playoffs, then they need a young star who can not only produce in the playoffs, but is young enough to stick around the next half decade.
It’s a good thing then that they have the perfect candidate in St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou.
A new report from the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, a trade involving Kyrou is gaining a lot of traction and he believes that he could be gone as soon as the deadline:
Whether it happens ahead of the deadline or around draft time, I think that’s a real significant possibility.
If so, then Toronto needs to be knocking on his door because Kyrou adds a lot to the lineup and could be their saving grace in kickstarting a successful retool.
Why Toronto should take a serious look at adding Jordan Kyrou
Kyrou, 28, is a perennial 30-goal scorer who plays well defensively and can play anywhere on the wing in the top-six. He’s also a Toronto native and as we’ve seen with John Tavares and Steven Lorentz; there’s appeal to playing here.
But he’s also coming with a long-term commitment. He’s signed until 2031 and makes $8.125-million.
Now while it’s not a guarantee that Auston Matthews sticks around after his contract expires (though he wants to stay), for argument’s sake let’s say he does leave.
At least having a player like Kyrou who is in his prime to play alongside William Nylander, Matthew Knies, Tavares, etc. is a much better consolation prize than betting on let’s say a 34-year-old Artemi Panarin.
Now comes the question of what he could cost, and while there’s no guarantees that Easton Cowan would be involved, there is a more than slight possibility.
The team could also see Ben Danford or Jacob Quillan traded away as well on top of some picks so if the team is going to be committed to winning then they are certainly going all in.
But it’s the price the team will pay to bring in Kyrou, and while fans may groan at another big deal giving up a lot of assets; at least they’re getting a superstar out of it at the end of the day.
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The Maple Leafs could start their retool early with a big trade swing
Does Jordan Kyrou make sense as a trade target for the Toronto Maple Leafs?