Report: Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion on the Trade Block; Perfect Fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs

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Chris Gerics
November 16, 2024 (3:47 PM)

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With the Pittsburgh Penguins going into a potential rebuild, the Maple Leafs could swoop in and make a blockbuster trade for Evgeni Malkin.

It's been a rough year for Kyle Dubas the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are struggling both offensively and defensively, and a lack of consistency in their lineup. They've also dealt with several injuries, and it's led the GM to essentially put everyone up for grabs unless your name is Sidney Crosby. They already shipped out Lars Eller, and it looks like there are more moves to come.

Per Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports, the Penguins are listening for any offers as long as you don't wear #87:

"A league source told me earlier this week that Kyle Dubas has made it known to other teams that "everyone is available, except 87." And while Dubas has done well to replenish the pool with picks and prospects over the past year or so, the objective of any near-future moves wouldn't be to add more futures."

With that tidbit of information, can Brad Treliving come in and make a blockbuster to bring in not only a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, and a legend in Pittsburgh? Let's take a look.

What Would An Evgeni Malkin Trade Look Like?

This is gonna take a lot of work. Brad Treliving would need to entice Dubas to give up Malkin. The 38-year-old hasn't slowed down with 18 points this season to increase his career total to 1,314 points (503 G, 811A) and recently celebrated his 500th career goal with a lovely ceremony:

Speaking of, Toronto is in desperate need of an offensive star center who can help alleviate the load for John Tavares and Auston Matthews and brings a certain swagger. Malkin would slide into the second line as John Tavares can take third-line duties and vastly improve their bottom six.

Malkin, for what it's worth is not the most expensive player on the market but he won't come cheap, both financially and roster-wise. Coming in at a $6.1M cap hit for the next two seasons, Toronto would need to send off a bunch of expensive contracts or find a way to sweeten the pot. They don't have many picks so they have to find an alternative.

Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire:

C Evgeni Malkin
C Noel Acciari
2025 5th Round Pick (CHI)

Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire:

F Max Domi
F Nick Robertson
F David Kampf
2025 3rd Round Pick (EDM)

Adding Malkin and Acciari completely eliminates the center problem the Maple Leafs have, and opens up space for Malkin's deal. Acciari takes over Kampf's spot, and the pick will help Toronto even if it's not flashy; with either a player or a future trade.

Sending Domi the other way ends his hot and cold tenure with the Leafs and gets a chance to run an offense alongside Sidney Crosby, who is known for taking role players and turning them into stars. Robertson needs a fresh start and Toronto needs to cut ties with him, and Kampf adds a gritty, defensively sound center for Mike Sullivan to experiment with and gets his pesky contract off the books.

New Look Maple Leafs

The new lines for the Maple Leafs could look something like this:

Knies -- Matthews -- Nylander
McMann -- Malkin -- Marner
Steeves -- Tavares -- Holmberg
Lorentz -- Acciari -- Reaves/Dewar

This would give Toronto so much more balance at least in the Top 9, and Acciari adds size, defense, and scoring ability that Kampf did not have. It would be a win-win for both sides as they try to go after their intended goals.

Brad Treliving and Kyle Dubas need to let bygones be bygones and work together to create a blockbuster trade that helps both teams now and in the future.