Kyle Dubas targeting two big mean and physical defenders to help end the Leafs curse
The Toronto Maple Leafs inability to get out of the First Round has become a running joke around the hockey world. The Maple Leafs haven't managed to make it out of the first round since 2004 and have lost 7 consecutive first round series dating back to 2012/13. After acquiring Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari, many expected the Maple Leafs to turn their attention to addressing their issues on their backend.
Now it appears that's exactly what Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs front office intends to do. According to Elliotte Friedman the Maple Leafs have turned their attention to the market for defenders. While many had originally linked the Leafs to Luke Schenn, it appears the biding for Schenn is too rich for the Leafs blood.
On this week's 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman shared the following information:
Defence? Toronto isn't left with much draft capital, so it's either someone you can get for a late-round pick or a current defender goes in return. Radko Gudas and Scott Mayfield are two I've thought about, but their teams are in the race. Luke Schenn being held out indicates he's priced out of their range. Generally though, teams believe there is a surplus of rental defence options and are betting costs soften.
An addition of a player like Gudas or Mayfield would certainly help solidify a Maple Leafs defense who has been notoriously soft. Both those additions would require the Islanders or Panthers to admit their season is over, something it's likely neither team would be willing to do just yet.
Both the Panthers and Islanders currently hold down the final wild card spots in the Eastern Conference, so it is difficult to see either team being willing to move either player at this time.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23 | 107 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas targeting two big mean and physical defenders to help end the Leafs curse What will Kyle Dubas do before the trade deadline? | ||
| He'll add a defender | 70 | 65.4 % |
| He'll add more forwards | 9 | 8.4 % |
| He won't do anything | 28 | 26.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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