The Toronto Maple Leafs are mired in a five-game losing streak and sinking fast in the Atlantic Division. While the club is still in a position to get back into the playoff race, time is running out. Panic and desperation are beginning to set in as team management must make a crucial choice: Does the team give up on this season or try to salvage what it can?
From what insider Elliotte Friedman expressed on Saturday Headlines this past weekend, it looks like the Maple Leafs will try everything they can to salvage this season. That effort includes what Friedman described as a “roster-for-roster” shake-up.
Friedman expounded on the topic by stating:
“I don’t think they want to trade futures. I don’t believe that they want to do that. And that includes Easton Cowan in that.”
Judging from the statement, it means the Maple Leafs are not looking to move whatever prospects the team has left or their little draft capital. Instead, the club wants to shake up the core.
Friedman explained:
“What I’m hearing is that they want to make hockey trades, roster for roster. And they are exploring what on their roster has value, what exactly that value is, and can they do something that way.”
Friedman was adamant that such “roster-for-roster” trades do not apply to the core. One would have to imagine the shake-up would exclude players such as captain Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, John Tavares, Morgan Rielly, and potentially goaltender Joseph Woll. Beyond that, it would appear that anyone on the Maple Leafs’ roster is fair game.
Check out Friedman’s comments here:
Maple Leafs Likely not in on Star Blueliner
One of the most persistent rumors over the last couple of seasons has been Calgary Flames blueliner Rasmus Andersson to the Maple Leafs.
While the move would make sense on paper, Friedman poured cold water on the trade. In Friedman’s estimation, the move wouldn’t make sense.
While the Maple Leafs are looking for a puck-moving, right-shot defenseman, the price tag on Andersson might be too high. Plus, the potential contract extension, would likely be too rich for Toronto’s liking.
That situation leaves the Maple Leafs looking around for other options. These options would likely come from lower-tier blueliners who have some term left on their deals. As to who those blueliners may be, that’s another discussion.
Toronto May Punt on this Season and Regroup
If the Maple Leafs cannot find a move to truly shake up the team in-season, it could be that the Maple Leafs may punt and regroup. While the preceding statement may be nothing more than hearsay at this point, the Leafs look to be in the same situation the Boston Bruins were last season.
The Bruins had a talented, veteran core but had an awful season. The team missed the playoffs. So, it sold off a number of assets at the trade deadline. The Bruins got a new coach and brought in new blood this season. Thus far, it has worked.
Boston’s situation from last season could be a template for what’s to come for the Maple Leafs this season and beyond.
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