Maple Leafs can potentially replace Tyler Bertuzzi with 30-goal scorer
Tyler Bertuzzi left Toronto this summer to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks. Now, it appears the Leafs have found and are closing in on his replacement.
The Leafs, on paper, appear to be slightly weaker up front compared to last season without Bertuzzi, so they will need to address this hole, and they have likely found their guy: Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets. Ehlers was drafted one spot right after William Nylander in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry draft.
He has accumulated 457 points in his career so far. What really separates Ehlers apart from the rest is how sound defensively he is, posting a career +/- rating of +92.
Why would the Jets want to get rid of Ehlers? For starters, he hasn't had as much ice time as he'd like, and he is also entering the final year of his contract and will be a UFA next summer.
It's no secret the Leafs Nick Robertson has expressed his desire to be traded, so perhaps the Leafs would be able to finesse a deal with the Jets and include Robertson in their package.
His game definitely has potential: hard shot, some speed and skill. Obviously still a ways to go to round out his game, but I am hopeful
Auston Matthews and William Nylander are in their prime, and the Leafs need to do whatever it takes to not make these years go to waste for them, and their fans. Ehlers would be a huge step in the right direction.
Credit Maple Leafs Daily:
A potential Tyler Bertuzzi replacement in Toronto
| POLL | ||
Will the Maple Leafs trade for Nikolaj Ehlers? | ||
| Yes | 253 | 46.3 % |
| No | 294 | 53.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
