NHL Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs May Pursue Center

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Jonas Siegel of The Athletic has speculated that the Toronto Maple Leafs may need to pursue a trade to address their lack of depth at center. 

Head coach Craig Berube has been reluctant to rely on 34-year-old John Tavares regularly as the second-line center, given his declining footspeed, while Max Domi has struggled in the role, both offensively and defensively. 

William Nylander’s brief preseason stint at center didn’t inspire confidence, and with Fraser Minten sidelined by a high-ankle sprain, Siegel believes “a trade is the only way to address that issue this season.”

The Leafs' center struggles have contributed to broader offensive problems, particularly at five-on-five, where the team has struggled to generate consistent scoring. 

Outside of the top line featuring Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Matthew Knies, the rest of the lineup has been regularly outshot and outplayed. 

Siegel notes that acquiring a reliable second-line center could come at a steep cost, given league-wide demand and the Leafs' limited trade assets. 

With their 2025 first-round pick already gone, Siegel suggests that GM Brad Treliving may need to part with a promising prospect or the 2026 first-rounder to secure the necessary upgrade.

Despite the urgency, a trade may not materialize until closer to the March 7 deadline, when more options could become available. 

The Leafs were linked to offseason targets like Chandler Stephenson and Elias Lindholm, but high price tags prevented any deals from being made. 

As Siegel puts it, this situation is likely to be the “biggest priority for the front office,” given that the team’s playoff hopes hinge on finding a suitable second-line center to improve their depth and scoring balance.

Photo Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images



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