NHL Analyst Hints That the Maple Leafs Need to Trade for Penguins Forward Drew O'Connor
The Maple Leafs need to add some punch to their bottom lines and they could look to Pittsburgh's Drew O'Connor to fill that role.
Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs are struggling with the lower portion of their lineup. It's been rough for the bottom six, with barely any production and looking like a group of misfits on the ice at times. Nick Robertson is invisible, Max Domi too. The other guys they've thrown in haven't done any better either.
So with how bad they've been a new injection of life is needed and one NHL analyst believes that a Penguins forward holds the key to the Maple Leafs' bottom six woes.
The addition of O'Connor would give Toronto a new look on the bottom six, and a versatile option that can play both wing and center. The Maple Leafs need someone like O'Connor to bring new life to their squad, and he's certainly got the chance to make an impact.
Who Is Drew O'Connor?
Drew O'Connor is a big, young forward who will make a difference with Toronto. At 6'3, 200 pounds and with the ability to play both wing and center, he has the versatility that Craig Berube loves. He's having a decent year, if unspectacular. With three goals and an assist he's been off to a bit of a slow start but is coming off a 16-goal, 33-point season last year.
He's not the best faceoff guy but can do in a pinch, and has the ability to shake off defenders with his frame. He's also got two short-handed goals which shows that even on defense he has a mind for scoring. That's the mentality Toronto needs as their bottom six seems like they want to forgo scoring in order to play more defensively.
Still only 26, he has several years until he hits his prime, and a new start could be the key to building upon that 33-point outburst. If he was playing with Max Domi it could open up the ice for him to get a spark going, or if Toronto wanted to place him on the 4th line, he could split time with Connor Dewar depending on Craig Berube's needs.
Brad Treliving needs to pick up his phone and call Kyle Dubas and ask the former Maple Leafs GM the price for O'Connor, and pull a fast one over on the young Dubas; payback for all the times he decided to poach Maple Leafs personnel.
