If the Leafs are looking for a Matthew Tkachuk type opportunity, one may have just presented itself
There are a number of changes expected in Toronto this summer, but we don't yet know what those changes will be. There is plenty of speculation that any one (or all three) of Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas or Sheldon Keefe could be replaced and there's also plenty of talk surrounding the Leafs moving a member of the Core 4.
During his season-ending press conference appearance, Dubas touched on the opportunity that presented itself in Florida involving the acquisition of Matthew Tkachuk. Those types of deals don't come available every day, but when the Panthers caught wind that Tkachuk might be available, they wasted no time in putting together a competitive offer. Now they're battling the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Well, if Dubas is looking to make a similar move to shake up the core and bring in a new impact player, they may not need look any further than to the Arizona Coyotes and forward Clayton Keller.
Per Keller's own father, Bryan Keller, his son is not interested in returning to Arizona next season.
Keller has 5 years left on his current deal, which pays him just $7.15M per season. The 24-year-old forward posted 63 points in 67 games during the 2021-22 season before absolutely exploding offensively this past season, posting 37 goals and 86 points, playing in all 82 games.
If the Leafs do indeed plan to move a member of the Core 4, it is very likely to either be William Nyalnder or Mitch Marner - both of whom spent a great deal of time on Auston Matthews' wing. Trading either play would likely be pretty upsetting for Matthews, but if you're bringing back a player like Clayton Keller, with whom Matthews is very familiar, it might help soften the blow of losing one of his best friends.
As of this point, the Leafs have not been formally connected to Keller, but I would think that it's only a matter of time before reports are out there that the Leafs may have a legitimate interest.
| POLL | ||
MAI 17 | 2065 ANSWERS If the Leafs are looking for a Matthew Tkachuk type opportunity, one may have just presented itself Should the Leafs look at the idea of swapping one of Marner or Nylander in a deal for Clayton Keller +? | ||
| Yes | 1446 | 70 % |
| No | 619 | 30 % |
| List of polls | ||
