The Toronto Maple Leafs have a clear need for a top-six winger, and they could look at someone deemed a ‘Leafs killer’ to fill that need.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Jake DeBrusk from the Vancouver Canucks in an intriguing move.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Canucks acquire:
- Brandon Carlo
- Nick Robertson
- 2027 fourth-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Toronto would acquire DeBrusk, who would bolster their offense, for an NHL defenseman, an NHL forward, and a mid-round pick.
The Maple Leafs would acquire DeBrusk, who’s entering the second year of a seven-year, $38.5 million deal. DeBrusk would be Toronto’s second-line left winger and help replace the offense of Mitch Marner. DeBrusk recorded 28 goals and 20 assists for 48 points in 82 games last season with the Canucks. He’s also a known playoff performer, as he has 27 goals and 20 assists for 47 points in 86 games.
In return, the Canucks would acquire a mid-round pick and Carlo, whose name has come up in trade rumors. Carlo is in the fifth year of a six-year, $24.6 million deal. He would be a top-four defenseman for the Canucks. He’s a physical shutdown defenseman, which is needed for the Canucks.
The final player the Maple Leafs would trade is Robertson, who needs a fresh start and could get a middle-six role with the Canucks. He signed a one-year, $1.825 million deal with Toronto this offseason, but still could be dealt. He recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games.
DeBrusk Claims he ‘Owns’ The Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs fans would love to acquire DeBrusk so he could stop tormenting them.
When DeBrusk was a member of the Boston Bruins, he scored plenty of key goals against the Maple Leafs. He has 9 goals and 5 assists for 14 points in 21 playoff games against the Leafs.
During a Bruins vs Maple Leafs playoff series, DeBrusk reportedly said in the locker room that he owns Toronto, according to Pat Maroon.
“Jake DeBrusk, he was like, ‘I own Toronto, I own Toronto.’ And he was out of the gates. He came out hot, too,” Maroon said on Spittin’ Chiclets. “He was scoring, and I was like, ‘This is great.’”
DeBrusk has been called a Leafs killer in his career, so Toronto adding him makes sense. He also fills a major need as a top-six winger is something the Maple Leafs are looking to add.
Maple Leafs Could Trade Carlo
Despite Toronto making a bold move to acquire Carlo at the trade deadline, his name has come up in trade rumors.
The Maple Leafs have eight NHL defenseman under contract and could look to deal Carlo, according to NHL insider Nick Kypreos.
“It may be hard to believe the Leafs would trade away Carlo so soon after paying a steep price to acquire him, but the fact is Toronto doesn’t have many assets to make a deal with,” Kypreos wrote. “Right-shot, minute-munching defensemen will always have a market in the NHL. So Carlo is the one trade chip that could command a lot of attention. He could be part of a deal that adds some scoring to the forward group as they recover from the loss of Mitch Marner.”
As Kypreos notes, Carlo could be used to acquire a top-six winger, which is what DeBrusk is.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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