Anaheim Ducks Forward Hits the Trade Market: Brad Treliving Must Make a Move to Acquire Him Now
GM Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs need to jump quickly and try to acquire Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano, as he is a crucial addition for the playoffs.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a key piece to their roster to not only add some bottom-line scoring depth but help them for their hopeful run to the Stanley Cup Finals, they have options.
Several names have been thrown about, from a reunion with Nazem Kadri, to Original Six rival Trent Frederic, and GM Brad Treliving has the pick of the litter when it comes to adding who is best for his team for now and the future.
Well, he could look to an old trade partner of the Maple Leafs, one who they've done business with on a regular basis. Treliving needs to pick up the phone and give Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek a call and ask about the price for winger Frank Vatrano.
So Who Is Frank Vatrano?
Vatrano, 30, is a very solid two-way forward who is coming off a 22-goal season last year with the Ducks but is struggling to find his form this year with only one goal and four points through 12 games. A nine-year veteran, Vatrano has made stops in Boston, Florida, New York (Rangers), and the Ducks.
Toronto could add Vatrano, someone with experience playing in the East to help them for their playoff run. He's only appeared in 34 playoff games, but has 16 points over that span, and would be a massive addition to Toronto's scoring depth.
The Maple Leafs' forward lineup would shape up like this:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Pacioretty - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Vatrano - Marner
Reaves - Kampf - Dewar
The question about how a trade would go down is the big thing. Vatrano is expensive at $3.65M but Toronto could ask Anaheim for a bit of salary retention and also find a way to flip some of their more expensive deals.
Sending Nick Robertson, Matt Benning and a 6th rounder in 2025 should be enough to make everyone happy; Toronto adds a veteran and Anaheim adds assets. Vatrano also throws hits and while he doesn't fit a big-bodied forward, his grit should make head coach Craig Berube very happy.
Brad Treliving's phone should be burning up as he tries to figure out ways to increase his scoring depth. He has a few options, but if he wants to capitalize on one of the best on the market; he needs to look to sunny California.
