NHL Analyst Urges Maple Leafs to Acquire Underrated Defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs could address their blueline issues by going after a diamond in the rough in Utah defenseman Michael Kesselring.
With all the talk about who the Maple Leafs will trade for come March 7 trade deadline, the team needs help in several spots and given how vital defense has been -- they should look towards adding a blueliner.
At least that's what NHL Hockey Analyst Michael Mazzei believes, and he thinks the best possible solution is a name we haven't heard much of: Michael Kesselring.
Should Toronto take a look at Kesselring? Let's break it down along with Mazzei
Michael Kesselring Adds Perfect Two-Way Blueliner To Craig Berube's Lineup
Mazzei pondered how Utah is going to deal with their influx of defensemen (especially with Sean Durzi coming back soon) and pointed to Kesselring as a potential option for Toronto:
Out of all of the options, the most intriguing one of the bunch is Michael Kesselring and is someone the Leafs should inquire about.
Utah currently has seven defensemen on their roster, with Durzi and Robert Bortuzzo eventually making their returns. It seems head coach Andre Tourigny likes rolling with 13 forwards so there's not a lot of room for him.
This also echoes the sentiment that NHL Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman had regarding Utah's increased blueline presence:
Mazzei finds the prospect of adding Kesselring intriguing due to his size, shot handedness and evolution into a two-way player:
He has begun to emerge as a dependable two-way threat with a booming shot, solid defensive play, good puck-moving skills, quality skating, and a willingness to jump into the play when needed.
Kesselring also enjoys doing all of the dirty work as he is willing to lay the body, block shots, and is not afraid to drop the gloves if necessary.
Just based off that description it sounds like Kesselring is the type of player Craig Berube would salivate over. Grit and grind seems to be the name of the game for the 25-year old and would give Toronto's blueline a huge boost.
This season, Kesselring has 6 goals and 16 assists in 56 games with Utah; he was drafted 164th overall by Edmonton in 2018.
But there are a few drawbacks.
Firstly, he would not help Toronto's penalty killing (which needs a bit of help); not because he's a bad defender, but he's more than likely in the box himself.
He has 65 PIM this season and would be getting earfuls from Craig Berube if he makes bad choices.
He would clear Oliver Ekman-Larsson and doubles Jake McCabe's penalty time. It's a hindrance if he can't stay out of the box.
Secondly, while he's cheap at $1.4M for this season and the next, he is an RFA at the end of his deal, which raises his trade value quite a bit.
Mazzei also believes that a trade won't get done without at least one of Toronto's defensive prospects -- either Ben Danford or Noah Chadwick:
That means guys like Ben Danford or Noah Chadwick would need to be on the table along with a roster player and a second-round pick at minimum for Utah to consider the idea of trading Kesselring.
Yikes, that's definitely a lot to pay, but such as in the case of New York's Noah Dobson -- you'll need to spend in order to get such a talent.
So let's look at a potential deal:
To Toronto Maple Leafs
(D) Michael Kesselring
To Utah Hockey Club
(F) Nick Robertson
(D) Ben Danford
2025 2nd Round Pick (FLA)
Yes, it's expensive. You need to also factor in how management works now. While they drafted Danford sure, but it seems like an odd pick given how much they value size.
Chadwick is 6'4, Danford is 6'0. Unless we have a seriously late growth spurt on our hands -- Chadwick fits the identity better.
Plus, Chadwick is closer to being NHL-ready, and with concerns already regarding injuries with Danford, he might be dangled in a potential deal.
This season, Danford, 19, has 4 goals and 15 assists in 49 games along with 42 PIM with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.
Chadwick, 19, has 11 goals and 30 assists in 48 games and adding 30 PIM with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL.
Toronto should definitely kick the tires on Kesselring. It's costly and might sting at first, but Utah is running out of time -- and so is Brad Treliving.
But what do YOU think? Should Toronto trade for Michael Kesselring? Should they only focus on a third line center? Let us know!
