Insider Reports Leafs have discussed acquiring 2019 Conn Smythe Winner
Currently in the middle of the ice the Leafs have Auston Matthews, John Tavares, David Kampf and rookie Pontus Holmberg. The first three are proven at the center position, while Holmberg is still learning his craft. He has played very well for the Leafs since being called up, but the Leafs could still look to add an experienced centerman by the trade deadline as an insurance policy. Not just for Holmberg, but in case any of the other three get injured along the way.
Pierre LeBrun noted on his "Trade Bait" article posted to The Athletic that the Leafs have interest in Blues' forward Ryan O'Reilly. O'Reilly is a free agent at the end of the season and currently makes $7.5M. The 2019 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner would provide the Leafs with a ridiculous amount of depth down the middle and would give Sheldon Keefe an abundance of flexibility as O'Reilly can also play the wing. O'Reilly would also provide the Leafs with secondary scoring, something that they did not get enough of in playoffs past. He has 54 points in 64 career playoff games and has been just shy of a point-per-game in his last four playoff appearances.
The Blues are currently five points out of a wild card spot, so the availability of O'Reilly would hinge on where they sit in the standings, but you can bet the price to acquire him would begin with a first round pick and prospect.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 237 ANSWERS Insider Reports Leafs have discussed acquiring 2019 Conn Smythe Winner Would you like to see the Leafs go out and trade for Ryan O'Reilly? | ||
| Yes | 168 | 70.9 % |
| No | 69 | 29.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
