Frustration building as report reveals Leafs' latest trade targets
The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently in a bad way on defense, having lost 3 of their top-6 defensemen due to injury. For most of the last few weeks, pretty much every report of trade talks out there relating to the Leafs have linked them to a defenseman. However, a new report suggests that they're actually in the market for a forward.
Per Luke Fox of Sportsnet, while the Leafs' primary priority remains a defenseman, they've also spent a great deal of time discussing some options that would allow them to upgrade up the middle of the ice. The 3 center rentals Fox believes are probably near the top of Toronto's list are
Adam Henrique (ANA),
Sean Monahan (MTL), and
Alexander Wennberg (SEA).
"Reading between the lines of comments made by coach Sheldon Keefe and GM Brad Treliving this week, Toronto would also like to upgrade its centre depth.
Max Domi has filled in admirably as a third-line pivot, but his trust defensively is iffy. Sense is, the Leafs would prefer a pure pivot and keep Domi as a middle-six utility player." - Luke Fox on the Leafs' pursuit of a center
In a subsequent report, Fox had suggested that the Leafs could stand to gain a lot from acquiring right-shot defenseman Will Borgen from the Seattle Kraken, so perhaps there's a deal to be had there, built around the Leafs acquiring both Borgen and Wennberg together.
Personally, if it's me, Adam Henrique is probably my top option among the names listed, but I also don't think they should even consider upgrading at center until after the defense position has been addressed, because I know full well that fans are beginning to grow frustrated with Treliving's lack of action on the D front.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
DECEMBRE 12 | 779 ANSWERS Frustration building as report reveals Leafs' latest trade targets Do the Leafs require an upgrade at center? |
Yes, but not before upgrading the D | 273 | 35 % |
No, the centers are fine as is | 245 | 31.5 % |
D needs to be the only priority | 261 | 33.5 % |
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