The Perfect 3rd-Line Center Might Fall into the Maple Leafs' Lap
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a busy summer, adding several pieces to a roster that finally cracked the code on getting out of the first round, but unfortunately, there's still plenty of holes to fill.
Depth down the middle
While many point to the lack of elite level talent on the blue line as Toronto's biggest problem, they've also got a severe lack of talent down the middle beyond Auston Matthews and John Tavares, and now, a solution may have been found.
A year ago, it was Noel Acciari and Ryan O'Reilly, but now, the experience deficit is apparent. Fear now however, as the Maple Leafs may have a proven veteran fall right into their lap.
An 1,100 game veteran
There were recently plenty of rumours that Paul Stastny's career in the NHL might be done at 37-years of age, but as a cheap option down the middle, he could be perfect for Toronto.
In 73 games a year ago, he contributed just 22 points for the Hurricanes, but with the Leafs simply needing experience and depth down the middle alongside all their talented wingers, he could be the perfect veteran to fill the Leafs second biggest void.
As Read on NHL Trade Talk - 5 Reasons the Maple Leafs Might Want to Look at Paul Stastny
| POLL | ||
AOUT 10 | 2661 ANSWERS The Perfect 3rd-Line Center Might Fall into the Maple Leafs' Lap Would Stastny be a solid addition for Toronto in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 1710 | 64.3 % |
| No | 951 | 35.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531249.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531292.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
