The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens don’t often link up on the trade front. That said, there is a world where they do at this year’s trade deadline and it benefits both teams. One idea that’s been floated is Simon Benoit for Arber Xhekaj, which, on paper, could make sense for both sides.
More recently, though, another idea has emerged and caught some attention. The possibility of the Canadiens trading Patrik Laine to the Maple Leafs. The idea came up in a recent piece at Editor in Leaf, where the author suggested Toronto should explore acquiring Laine from Montreal.
But honestly, this feels like a move the Maple Leafs should steer clear of.
Maple Leafs Should Avoid Trading for Laine
The Maple Leafs already have enough players like Laine. He’s a shot-first winger, doesn’t play a physical game, and is extremely streaky. From a roster-building standpoint, it doesn’t really make sense to give up assets to add another middle-six forward with that profile. Especially when they’ve finally started to see some growth from Nicholas Robertson this season.