A potential Tyler Bertuzzi replacement in Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not yet brought in a replacement for Tyler Bertuzzi, who signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as a UFA this summer.
Now, unless a couple of young players make huge strides, the current forward group is weaker than last year. The UFA market for goal scorers has also dried up quite a bit, meaning if Toronto plans to address this, then they'll have to do so via trade.
Consider Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets. The 6'0, 172-pound Danish winger was drafted one spot after William Nylander (9th overall) in the 2014 NHL draft. He's a talented goal scorer and playmaker with 457 points (201 goals and 256 assists) in his NHL career to date.
Another one of Ehlers' big strengths is his consistency, being able to score over 20 goals and 50-60+ points a season, practically in his sleep. He's also a safe and effective two-way player. While +/- is a team state, having a career +/- of +92 is excellent for any forward. When Ehlers is on the ice, your team is almost always winning its minutes.
So why would he be available? His ice time and usage has been relatively low despite his production, which has led to rumours that he's reluctant to sign a contract extension. Ehlers is entering the final year of his deal and has a $6 million cap hit.
If those rumours are true, then Brad Treliving needs to get on the phone. Ehlers is a responsible, two-way scoring winger in his prime that can fill the hole Bertuzzi and is likely even an improvement in that spot.
If Nick Robertson still wants out, then moving him as part of the deal makes a lot of sense and gives the Jets some depth scoring in return. The Leafs would, of course, have to add more, and defensemen Topi Niemela or Timothy Liljegren could be enticing pieces for the Jets. While the Leafs are pretty short on draft picks in the 2025 draft, any draft picks used as compensation would have to be for 2026 or 2027.
Obviously, with the Leafs tight up against the cap, some salary has to be moved out, but there is a basis there. Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf, for example, combine for $4.5M against the cap.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have to take advantage of Matthews and co. In their prime years by going all-in whenever possible. Brad Treliving addressed our coaching staff, goaltending and defence group. Now he has to address the forwards. A big swing on Ehlers is a great way to start that.
Could the Winnipeg Jets soon trade Nikolaj Ehlers?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 542 ANSWERS A potential Tyler Bertuzzi replacement in Toronto Would you welcome a Nikolaj Ehlers trade to Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 342 | 63.1 % |
| No | 54 | 10 % |
| Depends who we part with | 146 | 26.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
