The Toronto Maple Leafs have a need for a top-six forward, and they could look to a Western Conference team to acquire one.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Eeli Tolvanen from the Seattle Kraken in an intriguing move.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Kraken acquire:
- Nick Robertson
- 2027 fourth-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Toronto would acquire a top-six forward for a young NHL forward and a mid-round pick.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Tolvanen, who’s 26 and can play first-line right wing or second-line left wing, which are both needs for Toronto. Tolvanen is entering the final year of his two-year, $6.95 million deal and is a pending UFA. Tolvanen recorded 23 goals and 12 assists for 35 points in 81 games last season. He would have a chance to produce more if given a bigger role.
In return, Seattle would acquire a fourth-round pick and Robertson, who fits the Kraken’s core better. Robertson is 23 and can replace Tolvanen in the lineup. He signed a one-year, $1.825 million deal with the Maple Leafs. He recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games last season. Robertson doesn’t have a clear role with the Maple Leafs, which is why he could be dealt.
Tolvanen Would Fill a Need for Maple Leafs
Toronto saw Mitch Marner leave this offseason, and although the Maple Leafs have added more depth players, they haven’t added a true top-six forward.
Tolvanen would be a perfect top-six forward as he’d be good for 20+ goals and add some secondary scoring, which has been an issue for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs.
Bobby McMann projects to be the second-line left winger, but he struggled to score down the stretch, as he had 0 goals in the playoffs. So, Tolvanen would replace him and add some more scoring to the lineup.
Adding a top-six winger is also a goal of general manager Brad Treliving.
“Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
Tolvanen was a former first-round pick who struggled early on, but he has really found his groove as of late, so it would be a worthy flier for the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Captain Comments on Offseason Moves
Toronto had an active offseason, and Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is happy with what the team accomplished.
When asked what he thought of the team’s moves, Matthews says he’s feeling good about the team and all the additions.
“Feeling good,” Matthews said at the annual Hockey Night in Brampton charity event about the Maple Leafs’ offseason. “Obviously a lot of changes but I’m excited about the guys we brought in, and obviously excited about the guys we have. We’ve got a great team, a great group of guys in the locker room. So, looking forward to getting started.”
Toronto did lose Marner this offseason, who played on the same line as Matthews and was a close friend.
Yet, the Maple Leafs added more depth players to raise the floor and make them harder to play against.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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