Toronto Reporter Mentions Islanders' Center in Connection to the Maple Leafs
The Leafs need to bolster their depth down the middle and the New York Islanders have one pending UFA that fits the bill, according to James Mirtle of The Athletic.
Connor Dewar and Jani Hakanpaa are expected to be activated from LTIR by the end of the week after both travelled with the team on their recent road trip. Dewar and Hakanpaa have been out since training camp as they both recover from their respective surgeries -- Dewar with shoulder surgery and Hakanpaa a procedure on his knee in March.
With that in mind, the Leafs are taking calls on a pair of forwards to free up cap and roster space, though Calle Jarnkrok is reportedly not close to making a return just yet.
The depth down the middle of the Leafs' lineup has been questioned since training camp, even with William Nylander and Max Domi both getting looks at the position. On yesterday's JD Bunkis podcast, The Athletic's James Mirtle revealed that one forward on the New York Islanders could help fix their issue and provide them with a well-rounded 200-foot player.
Nelson is in the final year of his deal that carries a $6M AAV, so the Leafs would need some help from their former GM Lou Lamoriello in the form of salary retention to make the numbers work. That obviously increases the cost to acquire the 33-year-old, but as Mirtle said, Nelson would give the Leafs everything they need in a center.
Nelson currently has four goals in eight games and sits second on the Islanders in scoring and would be fifth on the Leafs in goals. While it seems like a long-shot, should the Islanders find their way out of a playoff spot near the trade deadline, Nelson is someone the Leafs should, at the very least, inquire about.
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6 HOURS AGO | 466 ANSWERS Toronto Reporter Mentions Islanders' Center in Connection to the Maple Leafs Would Brock Nelson be a good fit on the Leafs? | ||
