Insider Identifies Leafs' Most Likely Trade Deadline Acquisition, Believes He'll Extend in Toronto
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
According to one trusted NHL Insider, the Maple Leafs may not only acquire a centre from a heated divisional rival, but they may extend him as well.
Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs are expected to address a clear roster need ahead of the trade deadline once prices come down a little bit as we inch closer to March 7th.
However, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli believes that the Leafs won't land one of the high-profile targets they are after. In his 'Matchmaker' deadline piece, Seravalli revealed that he believes the Leafs will lose out on both Brock Nelson and Scott Laughton.
Seravalli also suggested that the Leafs will make an inter-division trade with the Montreal Canadiens for pending UFA Jake Evans. In exchange, the Leafs would send a 2025 2nd Round Pick (FLA) and prospect Roni Hirvonen to the Habs.
The right-shot center carries a very reasonable $1.7M cap hit for this season and would give the Leafs speed, penalty killing and a defensive mind at the 3C position.
The 28-year-old has 11 goals and 27 points through 56 games, with his 11 goals placing him ahead of every Leafs forward not named Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, Bobby McMann, John Tavares, William Nylander or Mitch Marner.
Although the Leafs would prefer a player with term, Seravalli noted that the Leafs would have a good chance to re-sign the Toronto-born forward.
"He's a Toronto kid, so there is definite re-signing potential that makes this late second-round pick a worthy expedition."
The March 7th trade deadline is less than a month away, but with the regular season on hold until the 22nd, there may be a flurry of moves coming up. It's safe to say that fans in Toronto are hoping that Brad Treliving is among the active GMs.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15 | 2294 ANSWERS Insider Identifies Leafs' Most Likely Trade Deadline Acquisition, Believes He'll Extend in Toronto Is the trade Frank Seravalli proposed for Jake Evans a fair deal for the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 943 | 41.1 % |
| Leafs say no | 571 | 24.9 % |
| Habs say no | 270 | 11.8 % |
| Both say no | 510 | 22.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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