Another day, another Toronto Maple Leafs trade rumor.
There’s been several reports since the offseason began that linked the Toronto Maple Leafs to several high-profile names such as Jordan Kyrou, Nazem Kadri, and Bryan Rust. While all would add a great dynamic to the Leafs, it is going to come with carrying costs; costs the Maple Leafs might not be able to afford.
But perhaps there’s another way they can add some firepower without risking too much.
According to an article from Heavy.com, they have a trade pitch that sees Toronto acquiring Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen for Nick Robertson and a low-end draft pick.
It’s a deal that makes a lot of sense if the Maple Leafs want to add a sure thing as opposed to banking on Robertson breaking out.
Tolvanen, 26, would give Toronto a surefire 15-20 goal scorer who has the potential to break out and score 25+ at some point in his career. Also a perfect Craig Berube type, he hits like a maniac and has 447 hits combined over his last two seasons…at only 5’10.
Robertson, 23, has a lot of potential and seems always on the cusp of getting to that next level but his inconsistency and lack of real physicality has made his spot in the lineup a real question mark.
Tolvanen is only making $3.475-million this season and is a free agent, so bringing him in that cheap and locking him down for his prime is crucial for the Maple Leafs; and if Matias Maccelli can be a solid Mitch Marner replacement then we have our top-six figured out for a long time.
The fact he could slide into any spot in the top-nine means that Tolvanen might be the sneakiest pick-up of the offseason if the team can get their hands on him.
They just need to make sure they have enough room to get a deal done to begin with.
