Maple Leafs Linked to Top Center in Metropolitan Division Amid Fallout Involving Mitch Marner
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler - Imagn Images
As the Maple Leafs look to find a solution to their center depth, one report has surfaced linking them to the New York Rangers' top centerman.
The Maple Leafs missed out on the opportunity to acquire a top-six winger in Chris Kreider to help fill the void that will be left by the departing Mitch Marner earlier this week.
Although some questioned why the Leafs would look to get older with the 34-year-old Kreider, he likely would have been a stop-gap with just two years remaining on his contract.
Kreider wasn't first big name the Rangers moved on from, as Jacob Trouba was dealt by the Rangers in December to the Anaheim Ducks.
Rangers Have Approached Top Center Mika Zibanejad to Waive His No-Trade Clause
According to The Athletic's Arthur Staple, the Rangers have reportedly already asked their top centerman to consider a fresh start, noting that finding a fit for the 32-year-old that has five years remaining on his deal.
"There's a chance that Drury has already worked it out with Zibanejad, who has five years at a $8.5 million average annual value remaining plus a full no-move clause, that moving on would be best," wrote Staple before suggesting the Leafs as a potential target.
"They'd still need to find a fit -the Leafs might have some interest and some space to fill."
"They'd still need to find a fit -the Leafs might have some interest and some space to fill."
The cap hit is manageable, but the five years remaining and no-movement clause might be tough to swallow for the Maple Leafs even though Zibanejad is 32-years-old.
The Leafs don't have many, if any, real, tangible assets to move to acquire the perennial 20+ goal-scorer, but given the low cost the Ducks paid to acquire Kreider, the idea is something Leafs GM Brad Treliving should certainly look into.
If the Leafs were to add the Swedish pivot, he would have an instant spot centering William Nylander and it would allow the Leafs to shift John Tavares to the wing or into the third-line center spot - as long as they are able to re-sign him.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 14 | 4398 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Linked to Top Center in Metropolitan Division Amid Fallout Involving Mitch Marner Should the Leafs attempt to land Mika Zibanejad? | ||
| Yes | 1943 | 44.2 % |
| No | 1449 | 32.9 % |
| Depends on the cost | 1006 | 22.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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