Insider confirms Leafs' interest in highly-coveted Pacific Division forward
With the trade deadline just 6 weeks away, speculation is running wild about what Kyle Dubas and the Leafs are going to do. Will they trade Matthew Knies? Keep their first round pick? Trade Alexander Kerfoot? Trade for a rental player? Trade for someone with term? With so many questions yet to be answered, NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun was on TSN's Overdrive on Thursday to discuss what the Leafs might do.
"I would not be surprised if they [TOR] added on defense, added up front, & maybe even added twice up front."
-LeBrun on what the Leafs may do at the deadline
LeBrun, like many, believe that the Leafs want to add at least one forward and one defenseman before the deadline to add some more depth to their lineup. LeBrun didn't stop there, though, listing a prominent San Jose forward as someone that is likely at the top of the Leafs' list.
"I think Timo Meier is a guy that the Leafs would have among their list of options. Again, because he wouldn't be a rental."
-LeBrun on the Leafs' perceived interest in Meier The asking price for Meier is massive and the Leafs would likely have to give up Knies and their first round pick this year. On top of that, they would have to find a way to fit his $10M qualifying offer under the salary cap next season - or reach an agreement with the player on an extension first. Of course, they could choose to treat him as a rental and leave him without a qualifying offer in the summer, allowing him to walk as a UFA.
We know that Dubas likes to make trades well ahead of the deadline to avoid paying higher prices and to give players more time to adjust so we should know sooner rather than later if the Leafs are, in fact, in on Meier.
POLL |
JANVIER 20 | 887 ANSWERS Insider confirms Leafs' interest in highly-coveted Pacific Division forward Will Timo Meier be a Leaf before the deadline? |
Yes | 234 | 26.4 % |
No | 653 | 73.6 % |
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