The Toronto Maple Leafs could still use another move or two.
The team is taking shape for what should be another competitive season in 2025-26, but they are not quite on the Florida Panthers’ or Edmonton Oilers’ level, yet.
One possible option to beef up this forward group is New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.
Jay Rosehill of Leafs Morning Take had this to say about a potential Trocheck to Toronto deal:
“Another guy is Vincent Trocheck. He’s 32 years old, so he’s got the experience. I just think that you put him in this lineup, he would fit. It’s like there’s kind of a big missing piece in this forward group, kind of in that middle-six type of deal,” Rosehill said. “And to fill it with a high-end guy like Trocheck, it would just be like, the balance would just be humming.”
Trocheck, 32, has four years left on his contract at $5.625 million per year. He is coming off a 26-goal, 59-point outing. While those numbers are down from his most recent 64 and 77-point campaigns, it is likely more of a testament to the Rangers’ struggles than age or decline.
Trocheck is a natural center, and could slot Nicolas Roy over to a bottom-six wing spot while providing immaculate depth behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares. He can also serve on the second power play and either penalty kill unit.
The price tag may ultimately be too high for the Maple Leafs’ liking. But this is a team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations, and adding another gamer up front like Trocheck could help them finally surpass the Panthers.
