Acquiring Rangers' Star Forward Could Finally End the Toronto Maple Leafs' Biggest Struggles
The Toronto Maple Leafs could finally end their scoring woes, but all it's going to take is acquiring the New York Rangers' top trade candidate.
GM Brad Treliving is going to potentially make a big splash when it comes to this season's trade deadline. He needs to instill some much needed firepower into his lineup and has his fair share of options to do so.
There's no shortage of top-tier players that can make a big impact for the Maple Leafs, and though there is a matter of cost attached to a lot of potential candidates, with enough maneuvering and assets; he can get a deal done.
But he should look to a struggling Eastern Conference team for an answer to his woes, and though it costs a lot, he would be best to at least kick the tires.
Chris Kreider Would Solve Toronto's Scoring Problems
On The Leafs Nation's 'Leafs After Dark' post-game show, host Zack Phillips mentioned how the Rangers forward would stop the bleeding of Toronto's scoring problems:
Putting Chris Kreider into this powerplay I think gives them some signs of life, he's a guy who fits into your Top 6, and you don't have to rotate between McMann and Pacioretty.
I think Chris Kreider is definitely a guy who would look good here in Toronto."
Kreider has been linked to the Maple Leafs for the better part of the season, and with how Toronto needs a prove scorer, and a solid third-line presence it's hard to see why he wouldn't be a great fit.
He's hit double digits in goals in every season minus his rookie year where he played 23 games.
In 2021-22 he scored 52 goals and showed that he could be as dangerous as some of the NHL's elite.
His last three seasons have seen an average of 42 goals and over 68 points while also adding a bunch of physicality and doesn't mind throwing his weight around.
He plays great defense, has a knack for disrupting opponents and also provides a steady presence in front of the net; something Toronto needs.
If you want playoff production he has that too. In 123 career games he has 76 points including 48 goals.
He would also help Toronto's anemic powerplay and has an average of 14.25 goals over the last four seasons on the man advantage.
The issue with Kreider is the caveat that makes a lot of trades a bit harder to get done and that's his financial hit.
He still has two years left on his deal and makes $6.5M for each of those seasons, so if Toronto wants to get something done they either a) need New York to eat some salary or b) dump a big contract.
The first option would be the better option for Toronto but it's hard to ask New York for that unless they absolutely plummet more than they already have. Toronto does have some big money deals they can shove off, but it's more a question of if GM Chris Drury is going to bite.
