Maple Leafs Trade Rumours: Toronto Could Be Prepping For A Blockbuster Involving Predators Star Filip Forsberg
Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has suggested the idea of a potential blockbuster trade involving the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators for star forward Filip Forsberg.
The Maple Leafs have an abundance of forwards available, but only four real top-six forwards following the departure of Mitch Marner during this past off-season.
It's a need that GM Brad Treliving has been trying to address all summer and will continue to address until he has exhausted all options.
Until Treliving can secure an upgrade, Leafs head coach Craig Berube will try all sorts of combinations to see if they can find an in-house solution with Max Domi, Matias Maccelli and potentially even rookie Easton Cowan.
Not left with much trade capital, any trade for a true top-six forward will be difficult for Treliving to make, but according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, one Nashville Predators forward may have caught their eye.
Filip Forsberg on the Trading Block and Could Be a Maple Leafs Trade Target
On Monday's edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Friedman revealed that the Predators may look to move Filip Forsberg, suggesting the Leafs could have a keen interest in the 31-year-old.
"One name to keep an eye on is Filip Forsberg. I'm hearing Nashville might look to move him. Now, I'm not saying this, but I am wondering if that's something that Treliving and the Leafs will be looking into."
The Swedish sniper has been a perennial 20+ goal-scorer since he entered the league and at 6'2 and 205-pounds, he brings the size that Berube and Treliving covet.
The biggest issue for the Leafs, aside from the lack of assets, is Forsberg's salary. Forsberg is currently in the fourth year of an eight-year deal that carries an $8.5M cap hit.
The Leafs could free up some cap space by moving out serviceable bottom-six forwards Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf, as well as perennial roster bubble player Nick Robertson.
Unfortunately, Treliving has had difficulty all summer attempting to find any takers for the former two of the three, leading to Kampf being placed on waivers last week.
The trade deadline is months away, and injuries are inevitable, but if the Leafs want to solidify their top-six, and if Nashville is eager to move on from their long-time forward, it may be better to make a deal sooner than later to avoid being outbid at the deadline and missing out on a legitimate top-six forward.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
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