Toronto-Born Top-4 Defenseman Emerges as Key Trade Target for Brad Treliving and the Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to add a local hometown defenseman already with a history playing for the team, and do it on the cheap as well.
With Brad Treliving going to make a deal or two before the March 7 deadline, he needs to delicately balance his lineup with the faces that have brought the team success while also adding the right pieces who can mesh immediately and provide a big impact.
There is a lot of talk about Toronto wanting to add a third-line center to their ranks and while it would be a big benefit for the team to add stability there, the inconsistencies in their blueline; as strong as it is, could be the difference between playoff success or failure.
So adding some defensive help wouldn't be the end of the world for the team, and one hometown player could be a boost to the team and it wouldn't take him long to get acclimated with his new team.
Mario Ferraro Would Bring Defensive Help To Inconsistent Third Pairing
According to The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta, the Sharks are gaining interest in a lot of their veteran players as the postseason approaches, with Ferraro at the top of the list.
If Toronto was concerned about the injury status of Jake McCabe for the rest of the season and playoffs, adding Ferraro would be a great call.
He's NHL ready, experienced, and has both the offensive and defensive skillset needed.
The former second round pick of the Sharks is having a decent season in San Jose although the team is far removed from a playoff spot and is in the midst of rebuilding.
Ferraro was drafted by the Sharks in 2017, but hasn't seen the playoffs yet and who better to get your first taste of postseason play than with your hometown team.
The 26-year old has three goals and four assists in 44 games this season, and has hit double digits in points in each of his six seasons.
He's solid defensively, blocks shots, throws hits, has good positioning and fits the criteria of a big-bodied defenseman (6'0, 209 pounds)
He doesn't cost too much either at only $3.25M and is a free agent at the end of next season, so a package with a few draft picks and perhaps a low end prospect like Ryan Tverberg or Topi Niemala could be enough to swing another trade with the Sharks.
Brad Treliving has his work cut out for him, but he has enough options available to trade and to trade for; the only question is when is the first domino going to fall.
