It’s hardly a state secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for depth and youth on the blue line. While the club hasn’t really gone that direction this summer, there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t, if the right opportunity came along.
That opportunity might be present, with some help from a division rival.
The Montreal Canadiens have reportedly been listening to trade offers for defenseman Adam Engstrom. And while it’s not clear if the Maple Leafs have been one of the teams calling, they should be.
According to The Athletic’s Arpon Basu, the Canadiens have been fielding inquiries. Should the right deal come along, the organization could move ahead with a trade.
“It is no secret Engström’s name is floating around out there. Teams have asked about him in trade discussions, and the Canadiens are open to those discussions. Engström has yet to be traded, largely because the Canadiens see him as having considerable value. That is, in part, due to the fact teams are enquiring about his availability, but it is also because the Canadiens feel Engström could help their blue line.”
With that in mind, the Maple Leafs would do well to explore Engstrom’s availability. The team clearly needs help on the blue line, especially with some of the older incumbents potentially aging out in the next two to three seasons.
That’s why the time to look into a potential trade is now.
Adam Engstrom Could Give the Maple Leafs More Mobility
Adam Engstrom wouldn’t exactly transform the Maple Leafs into a physically imposing team on the blue line. That’s not really his game.
What he could provide, however, is something Toronto could use quite a bit more of: mobility.
Engstrom is a smooth, puck-moving defenseman who can use his skating and passing ability to help Toronto move the puck out of its own zone. That’s particularly appealing for a Maple Leafs team that has plenty of veteran experience on the back end but could use some younger legs.
He probably isn’t a top-pairing defenseman at this point. But as a second-pairing option, Engstrom could make plenty of sense.
There’s also some offensive upside here. If he can earn consistent minutes and develop alongside a more defensive-minded partner, Engstrom could potentially produce respectable offensive numbers while giving the Maple Leafs another player capable of joining the rush.
Toronto doesn’t necessarily need another bruiser.
It needs mobility.
Engstrom could provide it.
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What Would It Cost the Leafs to Get Engstrom?
This is where things could get complicated.
The Canadiens aren’t shopping Engstrom because they don’t see value in him. As Basu noted, Montreal believes he can help its blue line, which means the Maple Leafs would probably have to make an offer compelling enough to convince a division rival to move him.
A second-round pick and a legitimate forward prospect might be enough to get the conversation started.
Whether it’s enough to get Engstrom is another matter.
The Maple Leafs don’t exactly have an endless supply of attractive trade chips, particularly after making several moves this offseason. And Montreal would have little reason to help Toronto unless the return actually improves its own roster or future.
Maple Leafs Could Find Blueline Solution from Division Rival