The Toronto Maple Leafs have focused on strengthening their defense this offseason and may not be finished yet
The team brought in Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to bolster their blue line. Now, according to NHL insider Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun, Toronto is reportedly interested in acquiring Jacob Trouba via trade.
Trouba, who was recently traded from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks, has been the subject of speculation that he could be moved again to a playoff contender. Simmons suggests that the Maple Leafs are one of the teams eyeing him.
Leafs management likes big defenceman Jacob Trouba, the recently traded Rangers captain,” Simmons wrote. “And they might have some interest in Trouba, if Anaheim or somebody else eats a lot of salary, at the deadline. Odds are, the Leafs, with limited cap room, will look to add a forward of prominence in March.
Trouba is in the sixth year of his seven-year, $56 million contract and has $8 million owed for the final two years. However, if the Ducks retain half of his salary, Toronto could fit Trouba’s $4 million cap hit into their payroll.
As a shutdown defender, Trouba would add physicality to the Maple Leafs‘ lineup, but acquiring him while having Anaheim retain 50% of his salary would likely come at a high price.
Maple Leafs’ Important Defenseman Injured and Out of Action
Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe is sidelined due to an injury.
McCabe, known for his physical play and shutdown defense, similar to Jacob Trouba, has been placed on injured reserve after taking a puck to the head.
He’s a heart and soul guy on our team,” said captain Auston Matthews regarding McCabe’s injury. “Fortunately, we saw him in the locker room, and he’s doing alright, so I think there’s good news on that front.
McCabe has played in 23 games this season, recording no goals and 6 assists. The veteran defenseman signed a five-year, $22.57 million extension with the Maple Leafs in October, which will take effect next season.
Ducks Eager to Bring Trouba on Board
Anaheim acquired Trouba from the Rangers in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Following the trade, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek expressed his enthusiasm about adding a player of Trouba’s caliber to the roster.
When a player of this quality becomes available, I wanted to improve our team, and I believe he makes us better,” Verbeek said. He gives us more depth on defense, is a strong penalty killer, and has some offensive abilities that may have been overlooked recently. Overall, he brings more physicality and toughness to our group, which is the style I want to implement. I want us to be hard to play against, and he certainly adds that dimension Trouba, for his part, shared his excitement about the trade to Anaheim.
Anaheim was one of the places my wife and I were both interested in,” Trouba said. “I’m excited about everything, from where the team is headed to the opportunities they have in the coming years.”
So far, Trouba has played in 25 games, recording 6 assists.
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