Auston Matthews Urges Management to Bolster Roster Ahead of Trade Deadline
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews made it very clear to management that they need to add some pieces ahead of the deadline if they want any success this year.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs have one goal; get better and try not to sell too much. Brad Treliving isn't going to make the splash that was expected of the team and with several pieces already off the market, time is ticking.
All eyes are on the Leafs and a very prominent voice has started to try and get management to buy this deadline.
Captain Auston Matthews commented on what Toronto needs to do ahead of the deadline, and safe to say, he wants the team to add:
I think with the way we've played this year, the position we're in right now, we feel really confident, really good about our team, our group.
But this time of year, you see teams adding and you want to add as well. So I'm sure the management and staff are doing a lot of thinking right now, doing a lot of homework and stuff like that. And I'll just leave it in their hands.
Who Should The Maple Leafs Add For Help?
Well, they had a few options to choose from who have since been traded. Yanni Gourde, Seth Jones, and Trent Frederic have all been dealt, and with other teams getting better, Toronto can't sit on their hands.
They should make a big splash for a top 2C like Brock Nelson, and his connection to Matthews should help a bit, but he costs a lot of money and is going to be a free agent. Is it worth eating that cost to get three months of potential success?
Scott Laughton has been kicking about for months and has been linked in the past, however his price has been revealed to be a ridiculously high one, and unless Toronto can swing Rasmus Ristolainen in a deal as well, it's not worth the cost.
They can still go for a smaller name like Nick Bjugstad or Brandon Tanev, both would add some much needed stability on the third line, and in Bjugstad's case would take over their 3C position.
The team also was linked to Blues captain Brayden Schenn, but with the Blues potentially fighting for a wild card spot; he may be sticking around.
Toronto needs to add someone, and whatever route they decide to go down better be the right one.
Fans are already impatient with the team, and any failed deals will be no doubt criticized to the fullest extent.
