It’s obvious that the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving want to add one more piece to their identity change puzzle, while also making sure they replace as much of the offense lost by the departure of Mitch Marner as they can.
So far they’ve added a ton of depth with the acquisitions of Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, Michael and Pezzetta while also bringing back guys like Nick Robertson and Steven Lorentz; but there’s still something missing.
Which is why Heavy.com believes the Maple Leafs should go all-in and make a deal for a veteran winger who could add some serious punch.
According to the article, Toronto should target Teuvo Teravainen as a great way to shore up their top-six and make it happen by parting with Robertson, Calle Järnkrok, and 2024 first-round pick Ben Danford.
That seems like a bit of an overpayment for the winger but it’s really not if you break it down.
Danford, the clear centrepiece of the deal is currently stuck in a logjam with Toronto’s defense and is still a few years away from making it, but Toronto is built to win-now. The Blackhawks are not going to be doing much, so he’ll get time to grow.
Plus, it gives Robertson a chance to play in the top-six and get meaningful minutes to help his progression, and Jarnkrok is essentially a free 3/4C who can mentor the younger players.
Last season, Teravainen registered 58 points in 82 games last season (15 goals, 43 assists) but finished an unsightly minus-23.
With Max Domi likely to slide in on the top spot, Teravainen would be a lock for the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander, and helps give Bobby McMann out by lessening his pressure to perform; a sore spot at times.
Toronto would need Chicago to end up either retaining some money or dumping a bunch of cap elsewhere, as it could cost them $5.4-million to bring him in.
While the Maple Leafs may be reluctant to part with Robertson after the whirlwind saga of his tenure, and they would love to keep Jarnkrok and Danford has a ton of shutdown potential.
But it’s time to act now, and for Brad Treliving he’s got his perfect piece just waiting.
