The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a critical juncture in their season, prompting serious consideration of a significant roster shakeup. Frustration is mounting within Leafs Nation as the team struggles to find consistency and meet expectations, sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. After a promising stretch in early December, a recent slump has amplified calls for change.
Several factors contribute to the urgency for a potential "big-dog" trade. Key among them is the underwhelming performance of captain Auston Matthews, who is currently on pace for a career-worst 36 goals this season. The team has also struggled to compensate for the loss of Mitch Marner, who departed in free agency. Injuries have further disrupted the team's ability to establish a consistent lineup. The power play, typically a reliable source of offense, has been dismal, ranking as the worst in the NHL with a conversion rate of just 13.3%. Goaltending has also been an issue, with the team using five different goalies and allowing a high 3.34 goals per game.
The Maple Leafs' struggles were evident in a recent 4-0 shutout loss to the Washington Capitals, a game in which captain John Tavares admitted the team "didn't make it hard enough" on their opponent. Coach Craig Berube, when questioned about the team's urgency and passion, directed the inquiry to the players.
To address these issues, General Manager Brad Treliving is reportedly exploring trade options to inject new energy and talent into the roster. The team has been linked to several defensemen, including veteran players like Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames, Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils and Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues. Andersson, a right-handed shot, is known for his offensive upside and defensive work ethic. However, acquiring him could require surrendering valuable assets, such as a first-round pick and a top prospect. Hamilton, while possessing offensive talent, has seen a dip in production recently. Faulk is a seasoned and versatile defenseman with another year left on his contract.
Another potential trade candidate is Morgan Rielly, the longest-tenured Maple Leaf. While Rielly has shown flashes of quality play, some believe the team should explore trading him to shake things up. Insider David Pagnotta suggests the Maple Leafs could push Rielly to waive his no-movement clause. Trading Rielly, who has a $7 million cap hit for four more seasons, would be a significant move. Other players who could be traded include Brandon Carlo, Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann.
The Maple Leafs may also consider trading forward Matias Maccelli, who they acquired in the offseason. Maccelli has not performed as expected, and teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, and Calgary Flames could be potential fits.
With the trade deadline approaching, Treliving faces tough decisions on how to retool the roster and improve the team's chances of making a deep playoff run. The Maple Leafs are scheduled to play the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 23, providing an immediate opportunity to address their performance issues.
