Brad Treliving Urged to Trade for 50-Goal Scorer Following New Report from Elliotte Friedman
Elliotte Friedman came in hot with another report that since the Rangers have faltered, they could be selling off some very important players.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made it no secret that they are trying to add to their team via the trade market.
Brad Treliving has openly stated what he is looking for in a new roster member, and while it involves offense, he wants to shore up his defense a bit more too.
However, with Friedman's latest report that the New York Rangers are looking to potentially sell several key players, Brad Treliving has the unique opportunity to add a defensively sound but also former 50-goal scorer to his lineup.
Chris Kreider Would Be A Blockbuster Addition
Not too often do 50-goal scorers get placed on the trade block, but in the craziness of the NHL, it feels ordinary.
Kreider, who scored 52 goals in 2021-22 (including 26 on the powerplay) is a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
Standing 6'3 and weighing a beefy 230 pounds, Kreider is a scary sight on the ice, and he can make an impact through scoring, and playing defense.
His defense has taken a bit of a hit this season, but he's still more than capable of defending, especially if Craig Berube and Lane Lambert can whip him into shape.
A lot of his defense comes with stick checks, using his length to disrupt opponents, though he could throw his big frame around a bit more this season.
He's a Craig Berube guy no doubt: Big, gritty, passionate. Not to mention he has scored nearly as many goals in the postseason as Mitch Marner has points.
Kreider adds a new dimension to Toronto with his mix of size and scoring, plus he could be worked with to improve his shortcomings.
How Does A Trade Work And How Would Kreider Line Up?
It's going to take a lot, and New York isn't going to let him go without squeezing as many assets as possible.
There's also the case of Kreider has a 15-team no-trade clause in his contract as David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports.
He costs $6.5M and he is signed for the next two seasons, meaning he will be 36 when it's over.
If Kreider were to be acquired, there is no way they can retain Mitch Marner, though Kreider does give them two more years of team control to work with him.
Toronto does have pieces they can promote to New York in exchange for Kreider, and they provide the shakeup that GM Chris Drury wants, but it's gonna sting for Maple Leafs fans.
A potential trade could look something like this:
Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire:
(F) Chris Kreider
New York Rangers Acquire:
(F) Easton Cowan
(F) Nicholas Robertson
(C) David Kampf
2027 1st Round Pick (TOR)
Yes, Easton Cowan is involved and that hurts, given how brilliant the prospect has been for London, but the caveat is that Kreider's contract is a steal.
Plus New York presumably would want NHL-ready players, and Kampf offers them (and cheap team control) that; plus the potential of Robertson should be enough to entice Drury to bite.
$6.5M for the next two seasons for a potential 25-30 goal scorer who adds exactly what you need and gives you the win-now player as opposed to waiting for Cowan.
New York will get to reap the benefits of Cowan in the future and while that will make Leafs fans cringe at the thought of losing out on such a highly skilled prospect; the chance to win a Stanley Cup is too important to ignore.
Lines with Kreider in tow could look insane given the star power:
Knies -- Matthews -- Domi
Kreider -- Tavares -- Nylander
McMann -- Minten -- Marner
Lorentz -- Holmberg -- Reaves
Adding Chris Kreider brings another goal-scoring threat along with a bigger body that takes over Max Pacioretty's role.
Mitch Marner shifts to his own line with Bobby McMann and Fraser Minten and creates magic there.
The depth increases immediately and affords Toronto the chance to play with their lines and separate Auston Matthews from Mitch Marner so both men can succeed.
FAQ: Toronto Has A Chance To Acquire 50-Goal Scorer In Trade
Q1: Who is the 50-goal scorer Toronto should trade for?
A1: Chris Kreider is the name Toronto should acquire because not only does his offensive and defensive potential bring an exciting element to Toronto in addition to playoff success.
He also comes with two more years of team control, giving Toronto more chances to succeed with him.
Q2: What will it cost to acquire Chris Kreider?
A2: It will take a lot to trade for the New York Rangers forward, and Toronto will more than likely need to trade top prospect Easton Cowan and some other pieces to do it, because Kreider's contract is so cheap, and New York will not let a player like him go for peanuts.
In closing, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to pull off a blockbuster trade for Chris Kreider, a player who would add scoring, defense, and playoff production which makes Toronto even more potent.
It's going to cost a top prospect, but it's worth it for Stanley Cup success.
