Insider Reveals Leafs' Last Resort Trade Option if Plan A Fails
The Toronto Maple Leafs are desperately seeking a third line center, however one Insider believes they could get just as good a player if that plan fails to work.
It's been the talk of the town for the past several weeks, and the time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a trade to fill some holes is ticking down and heading toward a critical turning point.
Aiming for a third line center primarily, there are certainly options but they are costly, and some may not offer the right fit for the team. While in no rush, the team needs to start prioritizing who they need to go after and enact an emergency plan in case things blow up in their face.
One NHL Insider believes the team also needs to have a backup plan, and it involves someone who has a very close connection to one crucial Maple Leafs blueliner.
David Pagnotta Wants Brandon Tanev As Toronto's Plan B
Speaking with The Leafs Nation's Nick Alberga, Pagnotta talked about Toronto's strategy heading into the trade deadline, but acquiesced that if the team fails in their pursuit of a third line pivot, they can switch gears and add some much needed defensive help on the wing:
Prices for a 2C is going to be expensive, and while it would be great to have someone step in the shoes of John Tavares while he deals with an injury, the cost to bring someone in may be too much both financially and morale-wise.
Adding defenseman Chris Tanev's younger brother to the fray would bring much needed defense to Toronto's wing, bring some offensive depth, and allow Toronto to improve their penalty kill tenfold.
This season he has eight goals and seven assists, but has added 78 blocks and 99 hits for the Seattle Kraken and playing exceptional defense. He's a penalty killing machine, and has done a great job staying out of the penalty box himself; something Toronto has had issues with.
Toronto does want someone with term and Tanev is a free agent at season's end, however only costs $3.5M and with his brother in town for the foreseeable future, they could extend him and keep him around a few more years.
Although he's been on fire as of lately, Nick Robertson would more than likely be one of the pieces sent. A potential offer could look something like this:
Seattle Kraken Acquires:
(F) Nick Robertson
(D) Topi Niemala
2025 4th Round Pick
Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire:
(LW) Brandon Tanev (SEA retains 25% salary)
Toronto then should look to waive either Ryan Reaves or Conor Timmins in order to free up the roster spot and cap space to bring in Tanev, as he offers much more to the team than either player.
While it would be great if the Maple Leafs could make a splash and solidify their roster as they head into arguably their greatest chance at a long playoff push, Brandon Tanev is a great alternative, and may bring Toronto success at a bargain cost.
