The Ideal Trade Target for the Toronto Maple Leafs That Makes the Most Sense
The Toronto Maple Leafs have the perfect opportunity to add a big third line center to give them a massive advantage heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
With names like Brock Nelson, Yanni Gourde, and even old faces like Nazem Kadri being named as potential pieces for the Maple Leafs to make a trade for, there's no shortage of options for Brad Treliving and his staff to inquire about and bring in to help make a deep playoff push.
But one name who is a bit of a dark horse candidate to be brought in is Nick Bjugstad, and the current Utah HC center is the perfect piece to bring in and make an impact.
Nick Bjugstad Trade Makes Perfect Sense For Maple Leafs As They Push For A Stanley Cup
Standing 6'6, 209 pounds and as strong as an ox, Bjugstad would give Toronto's third line a massive boost is scoring, speed, size, and defense. Though he's scoring less this season, it's mainly due to his reduced shooting percentage where it's nearly cut in half.
This season with Utah, he has five goals and seven assists in 41 games but is coming off a 45-point campaign only a year ago.
But when he does score, as he is definitely capable of; he scores tough. What that means is that he doesn't rely on soft touches or quick handles to deke a goalie, but instead prefers to park his gigantic frame in front and hope for tips, rebounds and chances in the slot.
A two-time 20-goal scorer, Bjugstad also offers solid faceoff metrics, has both penalty killing and power play credentials, can block shots when needed and isn't afraid to throw the body a bit as well.
He's also extremely cheap with a $2.1M contract as well as free agency coming up this summer.
As a rental he won't cost more than a draft pick and perhaps a low-end prospect, and if he's willing to re-sign for cheap then it's a steal for Brad Treliving.
Here is a potential lineup with Bjugstad in the mix:
Knies -- Matthews --Marner
McMann -- Tavares -- Nylander
Pacioretty -- Bjugstad -- Domi
Dewar -- Kampf -- Lorentz
The amount of size, speed, and offensive potential with not only Bjugstad but an uber-aggressive Max Pacioretty and a capable but extremely inconsistent Domi (which he's had valid criticism for this season).
Nick Bjugstad would be the perfect fit for Toronto as he checks all the boxes, is a cheap option, and has a deep skillset that lends itself well to a Craig Berube-led team.
It's just a matter of if Brad Treliving trusts he's the man for the job, or if he needs to make a trade for a premium name instead.
