Insider takes the Leafs out of the running for Western Conference blueliner
With Leafs GM Kyle Dubas having already addressed needs in the top 6 and the bottom 6 with the acquisitions of Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari, it's safe to say that everyone is eagerly anticipating a move on the blueline to help bolster the team's defensive corps ahead of the playoffs.
One player that the Leafs have been linked to and one who, quite frankly, makes a lot of sense for the Leafs with what they're looking for is Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn. The Leafs are believed to be looking for a big, bruising, right-shot depth defenseman, which Schenn certainly is. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman had some bad news for Leafs Nation on this front on Wednesday.
The rumoured ask on Schenn is believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of a 3rd round pick. With the Leafs just shelling out four picks in the O'Reilly/Acciari deal, I'm sure that Kyle Dubas is wary about dealing any more picks, unless he's getting someone with term on their contract. Friedman also has a point in that Schenn is a different type of defenseman than what the Leafs currently have, but he's not necessarily enough of an upgrade over anyone on the active roster to warrant bumping someone.
There are now just 8 days remaining until the trade deadline, so regardless of what Dubas has in store, we don't have to wait too long to see the final picture. I'm sure Dubas would love to acquire another big piece, so long as he's not fully emptying the cupboards on another rental. Someone with term would be nice and provide some value beyond this season.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23 | 260 ANSWERS Insider takes the Leafs out of the running for Western Conference blueliner Is Luke Schenn the right piece for the Leafs on defense at the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 102 | 39.2 % |
| No | 73 | 28.1 % |
| He'd be ok, but there has to be someone better | 85 | 32.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
