Toronto Maple Leafs Are Perfect Trade Partners For Jacob Trouba
Jacob Trouba has requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets, and the Toronto Maple Leafs should be calling – repeatedly.
Trouba’s request was quietly made several months ago so perhaps the Toronto Maple Leafs have already been calling, but now that it’s out in the open they should be adding minutes to their long distance phone plan.
Here’s the relevant portion of what Trouba’s agent had to say:
“There has been no negotiation regarding the terms of a contract between our client and the Jets over the course of the last several months. The situation is not about money; it is solely about our client having the opportunity to realize his potential as a right shot NHL defenseman.
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To the Jets credit, the club has two outstanding right shot veteran defensemen and our client simply wants the opportunity to have a greater role. As a consequence of the Jets depth on the right side, we believe it is in both parties’ best interest to facilitate a mutually advantageous trade.” (Sportsnet)
There are no legitimate rumors suggesting the Leafs are involved, but here’s why Toronto is the perfect trade partner for the Winnipeg Jets to facilitate Trouba’s request:
Opportunity
The Leafs currently have zero right shot defenders that are proven top four players at the NHL level. Nikita Zaitsev looked great at the World Cup, but he’s still yet to play an NHL game.
The Leafs give Trouba the chance to be a top pairing defender right away, and potentially through the majority of his career. It’s tops on Trouba’s wish list.
Assets
The Leafs can accommodate any of the Jets organizational needs with a bevy of prospects available to be dealt for a significant improvement on the blue line.
If they need another right shot prospect to go back in the package, Connor Carrick can be on the next flight out. There are also several good young forwards that can be sent out along with Carrick.
Picks? The Leafs have three second rounders and the lessening need to keep the 2018 or 2019 first round pick as the team moves towards being a playoff team.
Recently ranked the best prospect pool in the league, the Leafs are a match made in heaven for the Jets in a Trouba deal.
Opposite Conference
For some reason, this is a thing that matters – and sometimes more than getting the best possible return.
Teams don’t like to see young players they trade away, well, Toronto meets that criteria as well.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs can get their hands on Jacob Trouba they would be building a good defensive core that they could keep in tact for years to come. Rielly and Trouba are both 22, Nikita Zaitsev and Martin Marincin are 24 and Jake Gardiner is 26. The only thing missing would be a competent third pair right shot.
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