The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to adding top-six forwards, and one trade idea has them dealing a fan-favorite in an intriguing move.
Heavy.com has a trade pitch that sees the Maple Leafs acquiring Filip Chytil from the Vancouver Canucks in an intriguing move.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Canucks acquire:
- Morgan Rielly
- Nick Robertson
- 2027 fourth-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one, as Toronto would acquire Chytil to bolster its forward group in exchange for a fan-favorite defenseman, an NHL forward, and a mid-round pick.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Chytil, who can play center or the wing, and play in the top-six. He’s entering the third year of a four-year, $17.75 million deal. Chytil has dealt with injuries in his career, but when healthy, he would bolster the top six. He recorded 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in 56 games.
In return, the Maple Leafs would give up Rielly as the big part of the deal. Rielly is from Vancouver, so perhaps he would waive his no-movement clause to go there. He’d bolster the Canucks blue line and add some offense to the back end. He’s entering the fourth year of an eight-year, $60 million deal. He recorded 7 goals and 34 assists for 41 points in 82 games last season.
The Maple Leafs would also give up Robertson to give Vancouver a middle-six forward. He doesn’t have a role in Toronto and would give the Canucks some secondary scoring.
Maple Leafs Trying to Trade Rielly
Rielly has been a fan favorite and a face of the franchise on defense for years.
However, his play has taken a step back, and Rielly’s name has come up in trade talks. NHL insider Nick Kypreos named Rielly a trade candidate heading into the offseason.
“GM Brad Treliving is aiming to give his team a new look next season and change over part of the core,” Kypreos wrote. “Given the blue line is in a good place and forward is where the Leafs have more questions and holes to fill, might they look to flip a blueliner for, ideally, a top-six scorer?
“Morgan Rielly was on our last off-season trade board and remains here today. He has five years remaining on his contract and makes $7.5 million against the cap,” Kypreos added. “However, he also has a full no-movement clause, so any trade would need his approval. If asked, would the 31-year-old Rielly be open to a fresh start?”
Rielly, at the end of the year, did say he wanted to remain with the Maple Leafs. But, perhaps a trade back home would entice him to waive the no-movement clause.
Chytil Would Add to Maple Leafs’ Secondary Scoring
If Toronto does go out and acquire Chytil, he would bolster the Maple Leafs’ secondary scoring.
Chytil can play center or play the wing to add some secondary scoring to the lineup. If he stays healthy, it would be a good bet for the Maple Leafs.
However, injuries have been an issue for Chytil as he has dealt with concussions, so the Maple Leafs would be taking a flier on him staying healthy.
But, Toronto would also get off of Rielly’s contract, which makes the trade worthwhile.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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