Middle-six center hits the trade market, and Leafs GM Brad Treliving needs to stay away
Photo credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of different needs, one of which is a top-six center, and while one just became available, Brad Treliving must say no.
Brad Treliving has a lot of pressure on him to make some kind of trade that is going to improve the Toronto Maple Leafs and take them to the next level.
A center is something they could use right now, especially one who could play in the middle six. In fact, that kind of center has just become available with Phillip Danaultdemanding a trade from the Los Angeles Kings.
The center is known for consistently giving you 45-55 points per season, which is a lot better than whatever Nicolas Roy and Scott Laughton are doing right now.
However, Treliving would be making a big mistake by pursuing Danault, and Leafs fans should hope that Treliving stays away altogether.
Toronto Maple Leafs must stay away from Phillip Danault
According to some advanced stats, Danault is having the worst season of his career, and it isn't particularly close. He has fallen off a cliff and is barely a middle-six guy.
Furthermore, in 30 games this season, he has just five assists and zero goals. Terrible production for someone who makes $5.5 million per year.
Given his contract and production, there is no denying that a team could get Danault for a very low cost, but it still isn't worth it right now.
At this point, the Leafs have not shown any interest in Danault, and they would be much better off to just keep it that way until further notice.
The Leafs cannot afford to bring another passenger on board this team, especially with the lack of success in the first third of the season.
Going forward, it appears as though Danault will be pursued by the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. For now, the Leafs should just let that play out.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 434 ANSWERS Middle-six center hits the trade market, and Leafs GM Brad Treliving needs to stay away Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should trade for Phillip Danault? | ||
| YES | 134 | 30.9 % |
| NO | 300 | 69.1 % |
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