The Toronto Maple Leafs have a major need at center, and one trade idea sees them acquiring a star to fill that need.
The website PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool lets users create their own trades. One user proposed a deal that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Charlie Coyle from the Colorado Avalanche.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Avalanche acquire:
- Calle Jarnkrok
- Nick Robertson
- Nick Moldenhauer (Signing rights)
- 2025 second-round pick (Florida)
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one and one that makes sense for both teams. Toronto acquires Coyle, who can be a second-line center, while Colorado gets a draft pick, two NHL players, and a prospect.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Coyle, who’s in the final year of his six-year, $31.5 million deal. Coyle would be Toronto’s second-line center, which would push John Tavares to the third line. Coyle would add some much-needed scoring secondary as he recorded 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points between the Boston Bruins and the Avalanche.
In return, the Maple Leafs would give up a second-round pick and Jarnkrok, who has been in trade rumors. Jarnkrok’s in the final year of his four-year, $8.4 million deal and would be a third-line player for the Avalanche.
Colorado would also acquire Robertson, who’s a pending RFA and is a trade candidate. Robertson requested a trade last season, and after being a scratch throughout the playoffs, he could be moved. Robertson would be a middle-six forward who can add some offense. He recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games.
The Maple Leafs would also trade away Moldenhauer, who was selected in the third round of 2022. He’s currently playing at the University of Michigan and has yet to sign his entry-level deal.
Maple Leafs GM Says Center is a Priority
Toronto enters the offseason as one of the teams to watch, due to Mitch Marner and John Tavares as pending free agents.
Although Tavares is liekly to re-sign, Toronto still will look to add a second or third-line center. At his year-end press conference, Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving, said adding a center is a priority.
“Center, it’s a priority,” Treliving said. “It’s a priority. Having said that, there (are) probably 26 other teams that are saying it’s a priority.”
Treliving also noted center was a need at the trade deadline, and Toronto acquired Scott Laughton who can be a fourth-line center.
Maple Leafs Had Interest in Trading for Coyle at Deadline
Colorado acquired Coyle as the deadline, but his name could come up in trade talks again.
If Coyle is indeed available, the Maple Leafs will likely expres interest in him as Toronto was reportedly interested in him at the deadline, according to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel.
“Coyle should probably be higher. He’s exactly what the Leafs need. Matchup center? Check. When the Bruins face the Leafs, they turn to Coyle for the Matthews matchup,” Siegel wrote. “Another center who can provide some offense? Check. Though he’s having a down year offensively this season, Coyle averaged 19 goals and about 50 points in the previous three seasons. Under team control beyond this season at a reasonable price ($5.25 million cap hit)? Check.”
Coyle has skated in 950-career games and would help change the Maple Leafs DNA which is a goal.
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