The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to add another scorer to their top six. That’s hardly a surprise at this point. In every news cycle, insiders and pundits discuss how Toronto is seeking help with scoring.
But there’s one particular trade idea that has emerged lately. This idea may be a bit out there, but there could be something to it.
In a December 26 piece in The Athletic, insider Pierre LeBrun suggested the Maple Leafs could complete a trade with the Nashville Predators involving former 40-goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault.
Here’s a look at what LeBrun wrote about the potential swap:
“One can argue the last thing the struggling Leafs need is another aging player. But hear me out. The Leafs don’t have many assets to trade. For the Predators, this would be more about moving the remainder of the contract — three more seasons after this one at a $5.5 million cap hit. The Leafs would still have to trade assets, but it wouldn’t be as costly as other trade targets they’ve looked at.”
LeBrun is right. The Maple Leafs don’t have many assets. So, the pickings are kind of slim. LeBrun further expounds on why Marchessault would be a decent fit with the team:
“Marchessault, 34, would have to consent via his full no-movement clause, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he would consider the Leafs, where he would get a top-six role skating alongside either Auston Matthews or John Tavares.”
So, a deal to the Maple Leafs could be one last hurrah for Marchessault of sorts. But there could be a major hitch getting in the way of Marchessault landing in Toronto.
Maple Leafs Fans Would Not Take this Trade Idea too Kindly
On paper, trading for Marchessault doesn’t sound too crazy for the Maple Leafs. But in reality, fans may take exception to such a move. Here’s what LeBrun penned as a potential hitch in this deal:
“Again, I can see how some Leafs fans just want the whole thing rebuilt now and no more trades for veterans. But with the team not having its first-round picks in 2026 or 2027, and the standings still very tight, general manager Brad Treliving isn’t ready to wave the white flag just yet.”
A rebuild may be an inevitable outcome. But the current state of affairs seems to suggest there might be a bit more runway to try and salvage the remainder of this veteran Maple Leafs squad.
The Cost for Marchessault May Not Be a High
While LeBrun didn’t get into the precise cost for Marchessault, one would have to think the price would not be that high. The reason for that assertion is that the Predators would be happy if someone took Marchessault’s cap hit off their hands. As such, the Maple Leafs might be able to land the veteran forward for a couple of draft picks.
The move might end up becoming an albatross for the Maple Leafs. The club could take on with a big contract, one that could hamper a potential rebuild. But bear in mind that Auston Matthews still has a couple of seasons left on his current deal.
So, a rebuild would likely come once Matthews is ready to bail town in free agency or via trade. Until then, Brad Treliving will do everything he can to make things work out for this current version of the Maple Leafs’ core.
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