The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to compete for a Stanley Cup, but they should also look to add more youth to their lineup.
Heavy.com shared a trade idea that would see the Maple Leafs deal a fan-favorite forward to the Los Angeles Kings for a young forward.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Kings acquire:
- Max Domi
- 2027 second-round pick
- 2028 fifth-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as the Kings, who are in their win-now window, get a better fit in Domi, as well as two draft picks they can use as trade chips for a young NHL forward.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Turcotte, who was selected fifth overall in 201,9 but he has struggled to live up to those expectations. Turcotte has bounced between the AHL and NHL and could use a change of scenery. Turcotte is entering the second year of his three-year, $2.325 million deal with the Kings. The 24-year-old can be the Maple Leafs’ second-line left winger and add some more youth to the lineup. He recorded 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 68 games last season.
In return, the Maple Leafs would give up two draft picks, as well as a fan-favorite forward in Domi. Domi’s dad, Tie, played for Toronto and was an enforcer who was a fan-favorite, thus making Max a fan-favorite as well.
With the Kings, Domi can be a solid middle-six forward who adds some grit to the lineup and can be a secondary scorer. He has three years left on his four-year, $15 million deal. Domi recorded 8 goals and 25 assists for 33 points in 74 games. In the playoffs, he added 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 13 games.
How Would Turcotte Fit With the Maple Leafs?
If Toronto trades for Turcotte, it would be a big move and one that could pay off.
The Maple Leafs could use Turcotte as their second-line left winger and give him some power-play time to hopefully let him reach the potential he had as a fifth overall pick.
Toronto needs another top-six winger, and Turcotte fits that bill and would be a high-reward player if he pans out.
“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.”
Turcotte would get the benefit of getting plenty of ice time and adding some more youth and speed to the lineup for a playoff push.
Losing Domi would be tough for the Maple Leafs, as he’s a fan-favorite, but if Turcotte pans out, he’d produce more offense than Domi.
Domi Loves Playing for the Maple Leafs
Domi just finished his second year with the Maple Leafs and is eager to continue to play for Toronto.
Earlier this offseason, Domi spoke on The FAN Morning Show and said he loves playing for the Maple Leafs, as they are his hometown team.
“I mean, the only thing better than playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs is probably winning a Stanley Cup as a Toronto Maple Leaf, and it’s really that simple,” Domi said. “We’ve got a hungry group. Everyone believes in there that we can get the job done. And anything short of that is not going to cut it. [I’m] looking forward to the opportunity. I absolutely love playing here. I love playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Domi is confident the group can get over the hump and bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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