Leafs GM Brad Treliving Urged To Pursue Rising Star Defenseman Following Shocking Move
The Toronto Maple Leafs could set themselves up with their defenseman of the future and trade for Brandt Clarke, after the breakout blueliner was scratched yet again.
Though there's a lot of speculation that the Maple Leafs are going to trade for some much needed firepower to their forward group, as coming off three straight losses and a sudden lack of offense has made the need for a trade even more important.
But if Brad Treliving wanted to make a big splash, and perhaps find his next superstar, he should buck the trend of going after some solid depth and instead try and acquire Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke.
Brandt Clarke Would Be Perfect Trade For Maple Leafs
The Leafs are in a really tough spot in terms of their defense; at least in terms of the future. Their top four is all over 30, and are going to only get older as the seasons pass, so if the team was worried about the future, Clarke is the answer.
Drafted eighth overall by the Kings in 2021, Clarke has been scratched two games in a row, and given he's the team's leading scorer on the blueline, it's a bit perplexing.
Whether head coach Jim Hiller is trying to experiment, or has some cold feet about putting Clarke under a lot of pressure and wants to give him a break, it's unfortunate for Clarke.
This season with the Kings, he has three goals and 21 assists while adding 82 blocks, and added nearly three minutes of ice time compared to last season.
While it would take a king's ransom to acquire such a big named stud, Toronto might be doing themselves a favor by trading for him. He would immediately be Morgan Rielly's successor and replacement, and potentially let the Leafs send him home and bring back some key reinforcements.
He would also offer a defensive improvement over Rielly, and though he's certainly not as seasoned, he's only improving while the Leafs blueliner is on the downswing.
Clarke is in the second year of his ELC and only makes $863,000 for this season and the next, and if Toronto can get him locked up for good, it could be Morgan Rielly 2.0, but this time successful.
