Maple Leafs eyeing Red Wings Player as replacement for Zach Hyman
As often in a hockey market of that size, fan expectations are always high, and after yet another disappointing loss in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there may never have been more pressure on Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Kyle Dubas to transform their roster into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
The difficulty for the Leafs, of course, is that it appears they will lose several key members of their current squad in the offseason, owing in large part to salary cap constraints, with no apparent replacements in sight. Perhaps the most noteworthy player on that list is veteran forward Zach Hyman, who appears certain to leave Toronto unless Dubas makes a huge deal to clear the necessary salary space to compete with the offers Hyman will very doubt receive on the free agent market.
It's possible, however, that the Maple Leafs and their management have another strategy for dealing with the Hyman dilemma, one that involves acquiring another experienced winger in the National Hockey League who plays a gritty style on the wing. The Maple Leafs have long been interested in Red Wings winger Tyler Bertuzzi, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who even hinted that the Leafs would have contemplated making a move for him this season if Bertuzzi's injuries hadn't limited him.
Bertuzzi, on the other hand, will not be an unrestricted free agent like Hyman. Bertuzzi, who is coming off a one-year deal for $3.5 million, will instead be a restricted free agent with the Red Wings still holding his rights, necessitating a trade between Dubas and the Leafs.
The fact that the Red Wings are rumoured to be one of the clubs interested in Hyman if he hits the open market as predicted adds an extra layer of intrigue to any trade talks between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs.
| POLL | ||
Should the Leafs get Bertuzzi? | ||
| Yes | 75 | 50.3 % |
| No | 74 | 49.7 % |
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