Brad Treliving Urged to Trade for Defensive Specialist from Seattle to Compliment Chris Tanev
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to make a trade and one name with a close connection could be the help the team needs.
Brad Treliving needs to make a trade in order to not only shore up his offensive depth but bring in some much needed defense to their Top 9. They've been linked to several names including the New York Rangers' Vincent Trocheck, as fans speculate who the team is going to make a splash for.
NHL Analyst Kevin Papetti recently posted a stat that gives credence to the fact that Toronto could not only pick up the defensive forward they need, but one with a very close connection to one of their most important players.
The implications here are that Toronto should do what they can to bring in Brandon Tanev; younger brother of Chris Tanev, because he has all the tools Craig Berube is looking for.
How Does Brandon Tanev Fit With The Toronto Maple Leafs?
Besides the brotherly connection, it seems that defense, grit, and relentless energy seems to run in the family. The younger Tanev is just as good as his brother defensively although he plays up front.
Both men play hard-nosed hockey and do the small things that help teams win games. He's also been very excited to see his brother play so close to home and perhaps a homecoming could be the key to unlocking Tanev's full potential.
This season he has an even split of seven goals and seven assists, but he does have those 63 blocks in addition to 84 hits.
He's on pace to set a career high in blocks, and would also help Toronto's left side which has statistically been the weakest position on the team offensively.
Tanev is also a fairly cheap option at only $3.5M and is a free agent at season's end, so a cheap rental for a huge boost in defensive output while adding offensive potential is right up Brad Treliving's alley.
Craig Berube takes a liking to gritty, old-school players and Tanev fits the bill, and gives him a lot of versatility when it comes to both his 5v5 and his penalty killing unit.
Brandon Tanev would be a great, cheap fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs, not only bringing in a competent defensive forward, but one who has instant chemistry with their team's best defenseman, and who can be a huge factor in a successful playoff push.
