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Podcaster and ex-NHLer believe the Leafs and Ducks can help each other with a trade

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Mike Armenti
October 26, 2023 (11:43)

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The Leafs are currently 4-2-0 to begin the season and with rumblings that Brad Treliving has already begun scouring the trade market for a potential upgrade at forward, it only makes sense that people are talking about what the first trade might look like for Toronto in the first few weeks of this season.

On Wednesday, former NHLer Anthony Stewart and the Host/Director of Leafs Morning Take, Nick Alberga, discussed whom they'd like to see the Leafs go after as a potential upgrade at forward this season. They were in full agreement on Adam Henrique as a prime candidate and someone who could really help this Leafs team get over the hump - though they did disagree on where he should slot into the Leafs' lineup.

"That's a guy I was on the ice with all summer. This guy is legit. He is legit and I could see him in that top six, or that top line really making some big, big plays. I think he'd be a perfect fit." - Anthony Stewart on Henrique as a fit for the Leafs

While Stewie was of the mindset that Henrique would be a boon for the Leafs' top six, Alberga has a different point of view, suggesting that Henrique solves a more imminent need in the 3C spot.

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"I disagree - I think he'd be a perfect third line center. What's the big issue with this team right now? They can't find a third line center. The thing with [Henrique], it's his contract. I think you have to get as close to deadline day [as possible] to pull off a transaction like that... I think it would be a good fit. On top of that, he's a guy who's just scratching and clawing - he wants to win. That's all that matters to him... he's well-liked in that Ducks room. He wears a letter for a reason." - Alberga on Henrique

Personally, I've been a Henrique fan for some time and could see him in either role. In my opinion, he's a significant upgrade over Calle Jarnkrok, so if he were to saddle up next to Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews on that top line, he could be a good fit there. Conversely, if utilized as a 3C, the Leafs' center depth then becomes Matthews, Tavares, Henrique, Kampf, which has to be among the best center depth in the NHL.

The other option here would be to utilize Henrique as the 2C and shift Tavares over to the 2LW slot, as we saw at points last year after Ryan O'Reilly was brought in. However, with Tavares playing so well to begin the season, keeping him at center is probably not a concern for the Leafs at this point, nor should it be. If it's not broke, don't fix it, as they say.

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POLL
26 OCTOBRE \| 275 ANSWERS Podcaster and ex-NHLer believe the Leafs and Ducks can help each other with a trade Would you be excited if the Leafs made a move to acquire Adam Henrique from the Ducks?
Yes	114	41.5 %
No	69	25.1 %
Depends on the trade details	92	33.5 %
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