The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently in their Stanley Cup window, and one trade proposal has them adding a third-line center and a star defenseman.
Using the Puck GM tool on Puck Pedia, a website that allows users to create trade scenarios, one user suggested a trade that would send David Savard from the Montreal Canadiens to the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs acquire:
The proposed trade is logical, as it strengthens Toronto’s lineup for their Stanley Cup pursuit, while Montreal gains two draft picks and a young forward to aid in their rebuild.
Savard would bring valuable Stanley Cup experience to the Maple Leafs, having been a crucial part of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2021 Cup-winning team. In the final year of his four-year, $14 million contract, Savard has played 24 games this season, recording 0 goals and 5 assists.
Evans would slot in as Toronto’s third-line center. Also in the final year of his three-year, $5.1 million deal, Evans has posted 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 25 games.
For Montreal, the centerpiece of the return would be the draft picks, including a first-rounder. Robertson would inject some offense into the Canadiens’ young core, with 2 goals in 22 games this season.
Canadiens GM Listening to Offers
Montreal’s chances of making the playoffs this season appear slim, as the Canadiens sit at 9-13-3, last in the Atlantic Division.
TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger reports that Montreal is open to trading pending UFAs like Evans, Savard, Christian Dvorak, and Joel Armia.
“Kent Hughes is listening to just about anything that would help the Canadiens. As we know, it’s more about the future,” Dreger said on TSN Radio on November 29. “You look at the players you mentioned and consider ‘How would they fit long-term?’ Then you weigh that against what the market offers. There are always teams seeking quality defensemen, which makes Mike Matheson and Savard potential trade chips when healthy.”
However, Dreger believes Montreal is aiming to extend Evans rather than move him.
“I think Evans is the player the Montreal Canadiens would like to hold onto, that’s my impression,” Dreger added. “He’s an energy player and has been effective in the bottom six this season.”
Maple Leafs’ Robertson a Likely Trade Candidate
Nick Robertson, who requested a trade from Toronto this summer but ultimately signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs, has struggled to find consistent production. As a result, his name has resurfaced in trade rumors. NHL analyst Adam Proteau of The Hockey News sees Robertson as a potential fit for the Colorado Avalanche.
“Another option for the Avs is Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Nick Robertson, who has been a healthy scratch recently,” Proteau wrote. “Robertson is a much more affordable asset at just $875,000 for this season. If Colorado can put together a solid package of draft picks and/or prospects, they could acquire a young player with speed and skill, who would likely receive more playing time than he’s getting in Toronto.”
Robertson was drafted 53rd overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Leave a Reply