Maple Leafs Could Weigh Trade That Swaps Youth for 900-Game Veteran Leader
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The Toronto Maple Leafs could find themselves targeting Minnesota's Mats Zuccarello for their top-six according to a new article by Heavy.com's Cole Shelton.
Discussions around who the Maple Leafs could potentially bring in for their top-six has been filled with tons of names who could come in and bolster things for Craig Berube.
According to a new article from Heavy.com, the Maple Leafs could end up targeting someone ho could quietly improve their team, and it wouldn't end up costing too much.
Why a Veteran Like Zuccarello Could Boost the Leafs' Top-Six Right Now
The article mentions that Toronto should put in a play for Minnesota's Mats Zuccarello as the soon to be 38-year old could certainly bring a new dynamic to the team, and the cost of bringing him in would be sacrificing a bit of youth:
Maple Leafs Acquire:
Mats Zuccarello
Wild Acquire:
Nick Robertson
2027 second-round pick
Mats Zuccarello
Wild Acquire:
Nick Robertson
2027 second-round pick
There is something to be said about Toronto mortgaging their future again and again, but with Robertson; a notoriously streaky player, it might be best to bet on the sure thing this time around.
The Risk of Moving on From Nick Robertson in a Win-Now Trade
But it's that upside and youth potential that is keeping Robertson in the mix here in Toronto, and although there is a logjam up front, there seems to be a lot of hope and trust in him to pick things up this season.
We've seen Toronto move on from young players too early just to watch it bite them in the rear years later, and getting rid of Robertson, who is barely scratching the surface at 23 years old is a hefty gamble.
Yes, you're getting someone in Zuccarello who has 904 career games, and 690 points (217 goals, 473 assists) and someone who has some production in the playoffs, but is around the same output as the other Leafs players.
But he's going to be nearing his 40's by the time Toronto is done with his deal, and there's no guarantees he can fix what issues lie ahead.
What History Says About Veteran Additions for Playoff Push
We've seen it before with the Maple Leafs time and time again as they go for broke and bring in veterans who don't really make an impact.
Names such as Alex Steen, Mason Marchment and Rasmus Sandin are all players who were shipped off before their time in order to bring in veterans and it failed spectacularly.
Not to mention what players they don't give away, the fact the team decides to trade their premium picks left, right, and center is also a huge mitigating factor.
Nothing is guaranteed in the playoffs, and if you're going to ride with a player then you should see it through to the end unless it's a complete hindrance.
But it's not like Toronto hasn't given it a shot, and maybe they should try it just one more time.
