Maple Leafs Officially Scouting Two Eastern Conference Teams, Including a Heated Division Rival
The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be scouting a pair of Eastern Conference clubs, including a heated Atlantic Division rival as they continue to ponder changes.
The Maple Leafs are currently dealing with a bevy of injuries to some key players, with the most important piece being Auston Matthews, who remains on the sidelines with an unspecified upper-body injury.
In addition to Matthews being sidelined, Max Pacioretty and David Kampf are also dealing with injuries of their own. Pacioretty is out with what is believed to be a hamstring issue and has been given a week-to-week designation, while Kampf was just placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, leading to a call-up for rookie forward Fraser Minten.
On top of all of these injuries, Calle Jarnkrok is also yet to play a game this season, and will be sidelined on a month-to-month basis, which could put him out of the lineup until closer to the deadline or perhaps even the playoffs.
With all of this going on, the Leafs have begun to dispatch their scouts to take in games around the league, starting with last night's clash between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Boston Bruins, arguably the Leafs' most heated rivals. The Leafs were one of 18 teams with scouts present at the Blue Jackets/Bruins game on Monday.
The Leafs' biggest need, for once, isn't on the blueline or in net. Instead, the team could benefit from acquiring another center, especially with both Matthews and Kampf out, which has left them very thin down the middle.
In addition to the need for a center, the Leafs could also benefit from an upgrade in the depth scoring department. With the likes of Max Domi, Pontus Holmberg and David Kampf having not scored a single goal yet this season, the Leafs need someone in the lineup who is going to produce some secondary offense behind the Core 4.
It's anyone's guess who the Leafs might be looking at in Boston or Columbus, but with both teams struggling right now, I'm sure either GM is willing to listen on just about anyone with very few exceptions.
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