Trade Opportunity Suddenly Opens Up For The Toronto Maple Leafs Involving An Interesting Goalie Swap

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Tyler Ball
December 21, 2023 (7:39 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled to find consistent goaltending this season. A new report has suggested that the Maple Leafs could look to another team for a goaltending upgrade.

Maple Leafs Goaltending Struggling To Stay Afloat

The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled to find their answer in goal this season. Joseph Woll has emerged as the starter but that is more due to the struggles of backup Ilya Samsonov.

Ilya Samsonov was brought in to be the long-term solution for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, after one good season with the team, he has struggled to repeat those numbers. Samsonov this season has a 3.51 GAA and a .878 SV%.

With all of these major struggles, the Maple Leafs have been reportedly looking to other teams as potential trade partners. According to one NHL insider, there is a specific goalie swap that could make sense.

Maple Leafs Look To Metropolitan Division In Potential Goalie Swap

A report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed a potential option that the Maple Leafs could go after via trade. Friedman suggests that Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elivs Merzlikins could be a key option.

«I wonder if the opportunity was right, if the Blue Jackets (would deal) Merzlikins,» Friedman pondered. «I had a couple of people on Sunday say that they can see the possibility of that, that maybe both the Blue Jackets and Merzlikins feel that it's time for him to try somewhere else, but again, in the middle of the season that's not an easy number for a lot of teams to absorb. So, there's a few things that might have to happen here.»

Merzlikins is having the best statistical year of his career with a struggling Blue Jackets roster. This means his value also could be at an all-time high. Despite the success Merzlikins has had Ilya Samsonov plus a prospect or draft pick could be enough to get the deal done.

This swap would give both players a fresh start and give the Maple Leafs a goalie playing at his best.

As Read On - Maple Leafs Daily - An interesting goalie swap scenario has suddenly become available to the Maple Leafs