Large Number of Scouts Attend NHL Game, Including Maple Leafs, per Report
With the trade deadline just around the corner, the Maple Leafs were spotted with multiple scouts taking a look at the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators game.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to add some much needed insurance to their roster, they can certainly do so. Tons of names are available on the market, and with the team seeking out not only offensive but defensive help; a trade is downright necessary.
The team has been linked to several names including a few names who were facing off on Friday night. Defensemen Connor Murphy and Luke Schenn as well as center Ryan Donato were in action with a few Maple Leafs scouts on patrol.
So who would be the player best suited for the Maple Leafs?
Scouts Honor: Toronto Doing Homework On Blackhawks and Predators
Toronto isn't the only team seeking some extra knowledge regarding potential trade assets as literally half of the NHL teams scouts were in attendance with Toronto, Winnipeg and Los Angeles doubling up on their personnel.
It's not too unusual to see scouts checking out talent, but the pressure is on for the Maple Leafs to get some help, so the additional eyes on players is much needed.
In terms of Chicago, both Donato and Murphy can add a lot of help to the team. Donato is an offensively gifted two-way forward who can kill penalties, win faceoffs, and throw hits.
He would add a lot of help to Max Domi and Bobby McMann and could be a hybrid scorer/playmaker alongside both men and gives their defensive lapses some cover.
Donato, 28, is a bit smaller than your typical Craig Berube-type player at 6'0, 195 pounds. But he does have 16 goals, 16 assists & 32 points in 51 games for the Blackhawks, and is currently in the final year of his two-year, $4-million deal.
Murphy would bring some much needed insurance to Morgan Rielly who hasn't had the strongest season. His offensive numbers are down, but he's struggling defensively as well and needs someone to cover for his shortcomings.
He is your typical Craig Berube player, standing 6'4 and weighing 212 pounds and isn't shy about throwing his weight around. He also fits the shot-blocking, minutes eating archetype Toronto covets on their backend.
Murphy, 31, has 1 goal, 12 assists & 13 points as well as 96 blocks and 70 hits over 40 games with the Blackhawks. He is in the third year of his four-year, $17.6-million deal he signed in 2021.
Toronto would also be checking out former draft pick Luke Schenn. The veteran defenseman is a cheap and reliable option who has experience playing with Rielly in the past (to great success) and can fit in perfectly with Craig Berube's system.
The Maple Leafs' fifth overall pick in 2008, Schenn has had a solid season for the middling Predators this season with 1 goal, 3 assists & 4 points in 52 games but he really shines with his physicality.
Schenn has 187 hits and 66 blocks this season and has averaged 123 blocks and an astounding 277 hits over his 17-year NHL career.
He is in the second year of his three-year, $8.25-million deal he signed with Nashville in 2023.
It's also possible the team is out scouting Ryan O'Reilly, however there may be come hesitation about bringing him in regarding both cost and also depends on O'Reilly's willingness to come back.
With Chicago triumphing 6-2 over Nashville, and Donato raising his trade value with 4 points on the night, Toronto should be locked in on adding him at the very least.
But what do you think? Who do you think the Maple Leafs should make a trade for?
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3 HOURS AGO | 54 ANSWERS Large Number of Scouts Attend NHL Game, Including Maple Leafs, per Report Who do you think the Maple Leafs should try and acquire via trade? | ||
