Maple Leafs May Have No Choice But To Target Multiple Upgrades Before Trade Deadline
With Toronto looking to make a serious push for the Stanley Cup, they may have no choice but to make sure they bring in some impactful pieces to help them out.
The Maple Leafs have done well for themselves so far this season, even amidst a litany of injuries to some very key players. They are currently getting some players back, but losing others as the team tries to keep their spot atop the Atlantic.
However, a move needs to be made if Toronto is going to make a deep push, and as much as their players have done a good job, they need to add more consistency and defense to their lineup, and they could start by helping their longest-tenured blueliner.
Toronto Needs An Upgrade For Morgan Rielly
If there was a perseverance award, Morgan Rielly would be at or near the top of nominations.
Not only having to persevere through injuries throughout his career but he's played with some pretty bad partners in his career.
Names like Jeff Finger and Joel Edmundson didn't help Rielly any, and his constant shuffling of partners has led him to now be placed on the second line as Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe have taken over.
Toronto could look to bring in someone such as Will Borgen, a hulking stay at home defenseman who would provide defensive versatility and a consistent partner who can give Rielly some relief.
He's still only 27 and comes at a relatively cheap cost of $2.7M and with some contract swaps, Toronto could get the deal done. Having a slower season with only two points, Borgen has 55 points in 246 games since being drafted by Buffalo in 2015.
Toronto could also go for a double dip and look to the struggling Nashville Predators for help and re-acquire a couple of former Maple Leafs in Ryan O'Reilly and Luke Schenn.
Both men were a big part of Toronto's push past the first round in 2022, and although they cost more than Borgen would, Toronto gets to upgrade their bottom six while also adding a rough and tumble defenseman to play alongside Rielly.
If Brad Treliving wants to make a splash for the Maple Leafs, he should do so before the trade deadline creeps up on him. If he waits too long it could be another disappointing year.
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