The Toronto Maple Leafs emphasized defense during the offseason, and one trade proposal involves acquiring highll rated star from the Montreal Canadiens.
On paper, the proposed trade seems beneficial for both teams. The Maple Leafs would acquire David Savard, a key contributor to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2021 Stanley Cup victory, adding valuable veteran leadership to their blue line. Savard is entering the final year of his four-year, $14 million contract. Last season with the Canadiens, he played in 60 games, tallying 6 goals and 18 assists for a total of 24 points.
On the other hand, Montreal would receive a first-round pick, though they would have to give up a second-rounder. However, with an abundance of defensive prospects vying for NHL playing time, the Canadiens could afford to make Savard available.
The Canadiens’ defense corps includes Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Arber Xhekaj, David Savard, and Justin Barron. Additionally, former first-round pick and top prospect Logan Mailloux could compete for ice time, along with David Reinbacher, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Toronto made significant strides in bolstering their defense during the offseason by signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Although most of their roster adjustments have been made, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving recently hinted that the team isn’t finished yet.
“We still have about five weeks until camp, and we’re not set yet. We’re always looking for ways to improve our team,” Treliving shared on TSN 1050’s OverDrive. “At the end of the season, I mentioned that we would evaluate everything. Sometimes people are eager to make big changes just for the sake of it, but if those changes don’t improve the team, then there’s no point. It doesn’t make sense to make a move just to say, ‘Look, we made a big change.'”
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