Toronto Maple Leafs Could Land Under-the-Radar Center in Trade With the Pittsburgh Penguins
If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a perfect third line center they could look to former GM Kyle Dubas' Penguins to see if they can acquire Kevin Hayes.
The quest to find the perfect trade target is one the Maple Leafs have been on since the beginning of the season, and though they have a lot of potential players they can bring in, so far it's been all speculation.
But a new name has been added to the list, and Toronto could add Kevin Hayes to their team in order to give them a huge playoff boost. The only issue is they would need to deal with their former GM Kyle Dubas.
Kevin Hayes Would Add Everything Toronto Needs To Succeed
An article written by Daily Faceoff contributor Michael Mazzei goes a bit into some fairly unknown trade targets that could be a big factor in helping the Maple Leafs make a big playoff push.
Of the fives names mentioned, one that sticks out is Pittsburgh Penguins center Kevin Hayes.
Drafted 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, Hayes and the team couldn't come to an agreement and he became a free agent, signing only days later with the New York Rangers.
The 6'5, 216 pound power forward spent five seasons in the Big Apple, scoring 87 goals and 129 assists in 361 games, while also adding 134 blocks and 246 hits in that span.
This season with Pittsburgh however, Hayes only has eight goals and four assists with a gaudy minus-16 in 35 games.
Mazzei touches on what makes Hayes a solid candidate to be Toronto's trade choice:
The former All-Star has long been a dependable middle-six center who is elite shorthanded, can chip in offensively when needed, and is versatile having the ability to be used wherever his team needs him.
Potentially acquiring Hayes would be a reunion of sorts as he and Craig Berube crossed paths during the 2023-24 season before the coach was fired by the St. Louis Blues.
Getting the opportunity to join a contending team after missing the playoffs for the last four seasons going into this one will surely give him some motivation as he will want a chance at the Stanley Cup."
Hayes is a jack of all trades type player who averages 19 goals and 47 points over an 82 game span for his career, is a two-time 20-goal scorer, and he can reliably be counted on to play solid defense, and brings some solid playoff production as well (26 points in 56 games)
Middling in Pittsburgh is doing nothing for the 32-year old, but there are a few issues in the way. Toronto would need Pittsburgh to retain more salary on Hayes' $7.14M cap hit (Philadelphia is already retaining $3.5M) but the team does have one retainer slot available.
Another small bump could be Kyle Dubas' willingness to make a trade with his former team.
Though he's made a deal or two in the past with Toronto, it's unknown his current feelings on the team.
If Brad Treliving can get Kyle Dubas' approval to make a trade, and he's willing to take on more salary (as long as the Leafs sweeten the deal a bit) then there's no doubt Hayes could be a gamechanger for now and in the playoffs.
