Pending RFA and former top-10 pick requests a trade, could be an intriguing option for the Leafs at the deadline

Enter the New York Rangers, who may have just what the Leafs are looking for. According to reports, 2018 9th overall pick Vitali Kravtsov has requested a trade out of New York for the second time in as many seasons.

The Leafs may have a unique opportunity here to acquire a player who had a very high draft stock back in 2018 and who possesses some excellent skill, but who for one reason or another has not been able to find success in his current situation. If that situation sounds familiar, it's probably because the Leafs already made a similar move this season, acquiring defenseman Conor Timmins from the Arizona Coyotes. Timmins, due to significant injury issues over the past few years, saw his stock plummet in Arizona. However, he has performed very well for the Leafs and recently earned himself a 2-year extension with the Buds.

For Kravtsov, the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko pushed him further down the depth chart, likely reducing his role with the team and his ice time significantly. All he's really looking for is an opportunity to prove that he can be a difference-maker and he hasn't really gotten that chance in New York.

The Leafs could provide him with ample opportunity to play regular minutes in the middle six, as Kravtsov carries a $875K cap hit this season and will be an RFA this summer with a very low qualifying offer. The situation could be a mutually beneficial one, as the Leafs need inexpensive players to play and provide value since they're so top-heavy with the core 4 and Morgan Rielly eating up so much of their cap space.

As of this moment, there are no reports linking Kravtsov to the Leafs, but doesn't he just feel like a Kyle Dubas trade target? I mean, he wasn't a Soo Greyhound, but he does have a lot of skill and can be a cost-effective option in the team's middle six. His $875K could provide some excellent value. He'll also likely come pretty cheap, which is an added bonus.