Photo credit: Dan Hamilton – Imagn Images
While the Leafs have focused on their forward depth, a recent report shines a light towards a new trade target that would address a different positional need.
All summer long we have heard rumours about the Toronto Maple Leafs targeting a top-6 forward, or at the very least a winger to address their depth following the departure of Mitch Marner.
Fast forward to September and it looks like the Leafs are in the hunt to bolster a position that was already seen as a strength, however they’re going about it in a different way, as they would like to add a puck-moving defensemen into the mix.
James Mirtle believes the Leafs would have to offset the acquisition with one of their more defensive minded blueliners, but they have a few good ones that would entice many opposing teams.
Despite carrying a no-movement clause, Rielly’s future in Toronto is still very murky, and beyond him, they do lack a prolific, puck-moving offensive weapon. Ekman-Larsson can help in that regard but he’s no longer the electrifying offensive piece he once was during his days in Arizona.
Benoit and Carlo would be the more likely candidates to be moved, but if they are trading the latter, it would have to be for a legitimate top-4 mobile defenseman. Benoit could still land the Leafs a decent player but it wouldn’t come close to the value of what Carlo would be able to fetch.
It’s certainly a work in progress but it remains to be seen if they can find that puck moving defenseman with training camp right around the corner. It’s not from a lack of trying with GM Brad Treliving actively perusing the market, and fortunately for him, they have a few defensemen that could entice other teams in what would likely result in a true hockey trade.
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Recent Report Insinuates the Maple Leafs Have a New Trade Target in Mind
Would you move Brandon Carlo in a package if it meant the Leafs got a legitimate top-4 offensive defenseman in return?