Insider mentions two names who he believes would really interest the Leafs in a potential trade
There's no question that something just isn't jiving right now in Toronto and I think everyone can see it. For a team like the Leafs, who have so much turnover year over year, it can be hard to develop chemistry at times and for one reason or another, the new additions simply haven't worked out as planned thus far.
One of the main areas that needs some improvement is the blueline. This, obviously, is an issue that extends back to the summer, when Treliving had indicated even after signing John Klingberg and Simon Benoit that the Leafs would love to acquire another defenseman. Given the fact that it still has no occurred, largely due to the salary cap situation in Toronto, we may yet see the Leafs attempt to clear some cap space and make a splash, adding another defenseman or two to the roster.
With the team looking so disjointed right now, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman counts himself among those who believe that the Leafs are looking to make some changes on the blueline. During the most recent edition of his 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman revealed the names of 2 defensemen that he could see the Leafs going after.
"I think they're looking for defensemen... I think they've been looking for defensemen all summer. They just haven't found the mix.
You know the one I can see is Zadorov. I'll bet you this - if they could find a way to get Zadorov AND Tanev, I bet you they would do it. I bet you they'd do both of them if Calgary was willing to do that. I really believe it. Now, I'm not saying it's going to happen, but if you show me a path where that could occur, I could see it. But look, I think they're looking for D."
You know the one I can see is Zadorov. I'll bet you this - if they could find a way to get Zadorov AND Tanev, I bet you they would do it. I bet you they'd do both of them if Calgary was willing to do that. I really believe it. Now, I'm not saying it's going to happen, but if you show me a path where that could occur, I could see it. But look, I think they're looking for D."
With Friedman identifying Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov as potential options for Toronto, it has the city buzzing. Zadorov is the big, nasty defenseman that the Leafs have coveted for a number of years. Standing at 6'6 and 248 pounds, that's one guy who wouldn't be pushed around by ANYONE. We've also heard Zadorov make some very blunt comments about being frustrated with how the Flames have started their season. This is a guy who wants to win. He may have the chance to do that, were he to move to Toronto.
Tanev is another defenseman who has been on the Leafs' radar for some time, dating back to his time in Vancouver. Tanev isn't as big as Zadorov, but he's certainly a solid defensive defenseman who could help the Leafs a lot in their own zone.
With Leafs GM Brad Treliving having brought both guys to Calgary in the first place, I'm sure he'd love to get his hands on them in Toronto if at all possible. The trick becomes the salary cap. Tanev, 33, is on the books for $4.5M this season and becomes a UFA in the summer. Meanwhile, Zadorov carries a $3.75M cap hit for the remainder of this year and is a pending UFA as well.
The one way that the Leafs could potentially make this work is if they can move John Klingberg ($4.15M, UFA) to another team and include T.J. Brodie ($5M, UFA) in the package being sent to Calgary to bring back Tanev and Zadorov.
Like Friedman said, this isn't something he's saying they'll do for sure, just something that he believes the Leafs would be interested in doing if Treliving could get the Flames on board.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 6 | 348 ANSWERS Insider mentions two names who he believes would really interest the Leafs in a potential trade Do you think the Leafs will make a move to acquire one or both of Chris Tanev and/or Nikita Zadorov? | ||
| Yes | 162 | 46.6 % |
| No | 78 | 22.4 % |
| Zadorov only | 80 | 23 % |
| Tanev only | 28 | 8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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