Scribe Proposes a Blockbuster Deal Between Maple Leafs and Sabres

The Toronto Maple Leafs media following come up with some wild ideas sometimes, but this one may take the cake. According to Travis Yost of TSN, the Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres should consider a swap of Mitch Marner for Rasmus Dahlin.

Yost broke down the proposed deal in a very detailed assessment you can find here, and it included:

Even on an expensive deal, few teams have the assets to trade for a player like Marner. That’s where Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin comes into play. The former first-overall pick (2018) has shown signs of brilliance in Buffalo, but it’s been rather inconsistent, and the 2020-21 season was particularly ugly. The offensive playmaking and distributing ability is there in spades; so too, unfortunately, was shoddy off-the-puck play.

What’s hard to tell is how much the Sabres acted as an anchor on Dahlin’s production versus how much Dahlin contributed to Buffalo’s struggles – though just 21 and clearly still developing, it cannot be discounted that Dahlin (who averaged nearly 22 minutes a night last season) was contributory on that front.

Marner being dealt is not happening with Kyle Dubas at the helm for the Leafs. It's obvious the general manager believes in the players around him and Marner maybe more than anyone. Dubas spoke about it over the weekend how much confidence he has in his group and he's willing to bet anything on it. More specifically his job.

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports