Toronto Maple Leafs Organization Makes a Trade With Original Six Rival
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a small transaction on Sunday, sending Matteo Pietroniro of the Toronto Marlies to Chicago's affiliate the Rockford Ice Hogs.
Talks of trades has surrounded not only the Maple Leafs but the NHL as a whole. Given that teams are going to have a bit more work to do this season due to the 4 Nations Face-Off, teams need to start getting the ball rolling.
Though it wasn't the flashiest trade, the Toronto Maple Leafs organization made a small move on Sunday as they try to make some roster moves in order to bring in the right pieces.
In order to clear up some space, the team made the decision to part ways with Matteo Pietroniro, one of their longer-tenured defenders.
Why Toronto Made This Trade
The move to send Pietroniro to Rockford had a lot to do with both the defenseman needing more playing time, and the Ice Hogs needing help on the blueline.
After playing in 91 games over the past two seasons for the Marlies, he only has five games played this season and was often used mostly as a depth piece. Only 26, he gets a chance to shine in Rockford where they have struggled a bit on getting production out of their defense.
For his career, Pietroniro has three goals and nine assists and never got a chance to really find his footing at the AHL or NHL level. His best season came with the Chicago Steel of the USHL where he had 18 goals and 31 assists in 62 games.
Rockford is experiencing a tough season after a string of successful campaigns. After making the division semi-finals the last three seasons, they are 13-14-4 and have a minus-9 goal differential, so they clearly have some defensive struggles.
Although the Blackhawks have a lot of potential on the blueline with Artem Levshunov, Sam RInzel, and Ethan Del Mastro, they need help now for their AHL affiliate.
Toronto gets future considerations out of the deal and while it may be nothing to keep an eye on, there's always the potential that the Maple Leafs find a diamond in the rough when it comes to whoever Chicago decides to part ways with.
