Leafs Have a Golden Opportunity to Solidify Roster With Three-Team Trade
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Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs need defensive help and depth down the middle, but have the opportunity to fill both needs with a massive, three-team trade ahead of the deadline.
Craig Berube reverted to Max Domi as the Leafs' 3C on Saturday as the Leafs returned to action following the 4 Nations Face-Off break, indicating just how much the Leafs lack depth at center.
In addition to using Domi as his 3C again, despite the fact that it hasn't been a long-term fit, Berube has constantly flip-flopped Simon Benoit, Conor Timmins and Philippe Myers on the third pair as he attempts to find a pairing that he can trust when they get hemmed into their own zone. On Saturday, it was once again Timmins and Benoit.
With the trade deadline now just two weeks away, Brad Treliving has been attempting to solidify the Leafs' depth at center and on the blueline and may now have an opportunity to do both in one fell swoop while also uniting the Brayden Schenn and Luke Schenn.
On 'Saturday Headlines' Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed that Brayden has not been asked to waive his no-trade clause yet, but that action surrounding he and his brother is expected to pick up with teams considering uniting them.
"Lots of talk about Brayden Schenn and he told reporters in St. Louis this week that he has not been approached (about waiving his no-trade)... But what I do think has happened is teams have talked about uniting the Schenn brothers. Brayden from St. Louis and Luke from Nashville. Maybe acquiring them in separate trades."
Luke has one more season remaining on his current deal at a $2.75M cap hit while Brayden has three additional seasons beyond this year with a $6.5M cap hit.
Given the familiarity with both players, Treliving may look to make a massive three-team deal that sees both Schenn brothers join the Leafs. The one thing potentially making Treliving and the Leafs hesitant, however, is the reported huge asking price the Blues have set for Schenn.
If acquired by the Leafs once again, this would be Luke Schenn's third tour of duty with in Toronto after being drafted by the organization in 2008 and was re-acquired ahead of the 2023 deadline. When Schenn was re-acquired by the Leafs, many believed Morgan Rielly played his best hockey with him as his partner.
On the other side, while the Leafs have no direct familiarity with Brayden, Craig Berube coached him in St. Louis, where they won a cup together.
Their skillsets and age may be viewed as deterrents, but they both bring a Stanley Cup pedigree and have play styles that are built for the playoffs.
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