Leafs out on top trade target, says NHL Insider after latest asking price revealed
The Leafs are almost certainly going big game hunting this year as they look to break through the glass ceiling that is the first round of the playoffs. Some of the names that have been tossed out there include the likes of Bo Horvat, Ryan O'Reilly and Jakob Chychrun. However, it is likely that the Leafs are out on the latter, according to Elliotte Friedman.
During last night's coverage of the Leafs/Coyotes game, Friedman and the Sportsnet panel spoke about the updated asking price on Chychrun, revealing that the Yotes now want two first round picks and a top prospect for the 24-year-old blueliner, who has 17 points in 18 games so far this season.
Friedge revealed that he doesn't think the Leafs are interested upon hearing the latest ask, stating that he doesn't believe the Buds have the capital to get it done. Speaking frankly, they have the capital - they are just not likely to part with it. Host, David Amber, chimed in that he doesn't believe the Leafs have the appetite for a deal like that either. I think that's a little closer to the truth.
Two firsts and a top prospect is definitely too high of a price tag for a player who has never played a complete 82-game season in his NHL career. The injury issues are too much of a deterrent here, at least in my mind. The Leafs would be right to walk away from a deal like that.
The cost-certainty that Chychrun provides would certainly be nice (2 more seasons after this one at $4.6M per season), but the durability concerns and the risk associated with dealing two firsts and a prospect like Matthew Knies is simply not something the Leafs can afford to gamble on. If they're going big game hunting, I'd much prefer a guy like Ryan O'Reilly or Patrick Kane, who we know can get it done in the playoffs.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 30 | 275 ANSWERS Leafs out on top trade target, says NHL Insider after latest asking price revealed Are the Leafs going to move their 2023 1st round pick? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 32.4 % |
| No | 66 | 24 % |
| Only if they land one of the big fish | 120 | 43.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
