Insider links Leafs to one of the top pending UFAs; are the Buds preparing to swing big?
After six consecutive first round exits in the Marner/Matthews era, the Leafs are going to be looking to make a splash at this year's trade deadline. There are plenty of jobs on the line this season, including those of Kyle Dubas and President Brendan Shanahan, so the Buds may be looking at the best possible piece available to help them win.
The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta appears to have confirmed as much when he reported this week that the Leafs are among six teams who have reached out to the Chicago Blackhawks. The potential target? 2013 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and 3-time Stanley Cup Champ, Patrick Kane.
Any way you slice it, Kaner is a difference-maker. He's a guy who has not only been in the deep waters when the games really begin to matter, but he has also thrived in the postseason, having his name etched onto the Cup on a trio of occasions and being voted MVP of the Playoffs.
Kane can sway a series, however, the cost associated with acquiring a player of Kane's stature could end up posing a challenge for the Buds. One can imagine that the Leafs will have to kiss their 2023 1st round pick goodbye in any deal involving Kane. They'll likely also have to give up a top prospect and potentially even an additional high pick or quality prospect. A steep price for a pending UFA.
The Leafs' window to win is wide open and Kane certainly gets them closer to that goal. In the end, though, the cost to acquire the 34-year-old could end up being a detriment to the long-term success of the team if they fall short of the ultimate goal.
However, it is worth noting that Kane has a full NMC, so if the Buffalo, NY native wishes to declare the Leafs as the only team he'll accept a trade to, it could severely limit the return for Chicago. Having said that, I'm sure there are multiple locations that might appeal to Kane and so we're likely looking at a bit of a bidding war if Toronto is one of those locations.
Kane is not the only player who could step in and help improve the Leafs' top six, but if he is the guy they target, at least they know they're getting a guy who has been there before and succeeded. The same cannot be said about guys like Bo Horvat or Timo Meier. One has to wonder, though, whether or not someone like Ryan O'Reilly might be the better target since he'll likely come in at a lower cost.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 18 | 415 ANSWERS Insider links Leafs to one of the top pending UFAs; are the Buds preparing to swing big? Will the Leafs acquire Patrick Kane at the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 99 | 23.9 % |
| No | 316 | 76.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
