Perfect Center for the Maple Leafs to Acquire Officially Placed on the Trade Block
If the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brad Treliving wanted to add a cheap but reliable centerman, they should look to Long Island for a forward recently put up for trade.
With the Maple Leafs sweeping the Sheldon Keefe derby, and winning a thrilling overtime game on Thursday thanks to the heroics of Auston Matthews and William Nylander, things are looking up, at least momentarily, as Toronto stopped their three-game losing skid.
But there are still some things to be done, and the biggest the team needs to figure out is who they are going to make a splash for come the trade deadline. Among the premium names and cheaper options lies the perfect fit for the Maple Leafs as they try to make a deep and strong playoff push.
So with the news that one New York Islander has been officially placed on the market, Toronto needs to go after him because it's going to cost next to nothing.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau Would Be The Perfect Add For Brad Treliving
In a recent article by The Athletic, analyst and contributor Arthur Staple put together a list of the biggest pieces on the New York Islanders trade block, and named Pageau as a potential gamechanger for a team like Toronto:
Pageau has been a capable Islander, on pace to have his best numbers this season.
With a year left on his deal beyond this one, the number of teams likely to be interested probably falls by a bit; what would get that number higher is if the Islanders agree to retain 50 percent of Pageau's $5 million the rest of this season and next.
The Leafs, who have struggled to find consistency in their bottom six, might have interest in that scenario.
The Tampa Bay Lightning might, as well. Capped-out teams have to sacrifice depth, and getting a proven 3C for $2.5 million would be worth a second-round pick plus a lower pick at the very least."
He certainly fits all of the boxes. Not only do the Maple Leafs want to acquire a center, but one with playoff production, grit, offensive and defensive prowess, but they'd like to have some term.
Pageau has one year left on his deal, and if New York is willing to take on some salary (especially if Brock Nelson or Kyle Palmieri fetch big returns), then Toronto should jump at the opportunity.
If it's only a couple of picks, the team can afford to lose their 2025 second rounder, or could give New York their 2026 second rounder and toss in their third and fifth round picks from 2025.
Toronto has a very short window to win, especially with half of their Core Four set to become free agents, so sacrificing the short term draft strategy for a chance to win, it's well worth the cost.
This season, Pageau is enjoying the best offensive season of his career and is on pace to have 18 goals, 24 assists, and 178 hits. Not to mention he's winning faceoffs at a remarkable 58.4% clip, and doesn't take needless penalties; a small but crucial factor Toronto needs help with.
Also a solid playoff performer, he has 43 points in 86 games (0.5 ppg) but that includes 24 goals and 255 hits as well, showing he can be what Toronto needs in a playoff breakout star.
While he's not the biggest at only 5'11, but he didn't get the nickname 'Honey Badger' for no reason.
Known for being incredibly scrappy, tenacious and strong, Pageau utilizes every bit of his 185-pound frame and just doesn't back down no matter who he faces.
He wouldn't be the name value of a player like Brock Nelson, but if Brad Treliving wants to add some extra firepower elsewhere, he could do well by acquiring Pageau first, then use his best assets to bring in another key piece.
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7 HOURS AGO | 98 ANSWERS Perfect Center for the Maple Leafs to Acquire Officially Placed on the Trade Block Should Toronto try to trade for Jean-Gabriel Pageau? | ||
