Leafs reporter proposes an idea so bad that it might make more sense to just blow up the team
The Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving are and have been in hot pursuit of a defenseman to add some needed depth to their depleted back-end. Their top target currently is Chris Tanev of the Calgary Flames with Nick Seeler and Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers and Will Borgen of the Seattle Kraken being some of the secondary options.
While they hunt for a defenseman, the Leafs also continue to work away at a long-term extension for William Nylander. Many have said that if the Leafs and Nylander can't come to terms on a new deal, they may simply trade him as Treliving does not want to go through another Johnny Gaudreau situation.
With that being said, a Leafs reporter proposed the most ridiculous and unbalanced trade I think I have ever seen. It involves the Columbus Blue Jackets and one of their top defensemen being swapped for William Nylander. The deal that was proposed was that the Leafs would acquire 26-year-old Zach Werenski, who has four more years on his current deal at a cap hit of $9.58M as well as Patrik Laine at 50% retained (3 years at half of his $8.7M per season). Apparently this reporter thinks that Werenski and Laine are worth the moon because he has the Leafs sending William Nylander, two first round picks, Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf and Easton Cowan back to Columbus.
Werenski and Laine cannot stay healthy as Werenski played in just 13 games last year and Laine skated in only 55. Both players have also missed time this year. For a team that is dealing with a handful of injuries already on the blueline the Leafs do not need to add another injury-prone blueliner to the mix. Yes, both Laine and Werenski are offensively gifted, but both struggle defensively and Laine has found himself to be a healthy scratch this season because of his lack of effort.
In the trade proposal, it is mentioned that the Leafs would be dealing from a position of strength. That is debatable considering after Mitch Marner and William Nylander, the talent on the right wing drops of significantly. While I and many others would agree the Leafs need a top-4 defenseman, dealing a superstar in Nylander when you don't exactly have a replacement is not a good idea. The additions of Domi, Jarnkrok and Kampf to the deal would completely deplete the middle of the roster - and who are we replacing them with?
As far as the draft picks go, I understand it is for retained salary, but with the limited number of picks the Leafs already have and the fact that they don't have a cupboard full of prospects, trading them away would hinder the future of the team too much. It has also already been reported that Treliving is hesitant to move a first-round pick and would not even consider a deal involving Easton Cowan.
The proposed trade is absolutely insane, but I think the more insane part is that Laine was called more talented than Nylander. That one I cannot fathom. Nylander is a better player in all aspects of the game and on both sides of the puck and has gotten better and better throughout his career. Laine, on the other hand, has seen his offensive numbers decline almost yearly in his full or almost full seasons since entering the league.
Editor in Leaf might want to sit this one out because this idea is worse than the Leafs paying a premium to re-acquire Tyson Barrie.
| POLL | ||
13 DECEMBRE | 855 ANSWERS Leafs reporter proposes an idea so bad that it might make more sense to just blow up the team Would a deal centered around Nylander for Werenski make sense for the Leafs? | ||
| No | 637 | 74.5 % |
| Yes | 218 | 25.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
