One of the expectations amid a ridiculous rash of injuries for the Toronto Maple Leafs is a trade for a defenseman.
But given some recent comments, Leafs fans may be looking at a longer wait for a blueline deal.
Toronto GM John Chayka made it clear that a deal isn’t necessarily on the horizon, even if there could be a clear need for one.
“No doubt we need to improve our defensive play overall to reach our ultimate goals. But I don’t think a transaction is necessarily always the way to improve… We’ve seen a lot of internal improvement already.”
Chayka: “No doubt we need to improve our defensive play overall to reach our ultimate goals. But I don’t think a transaction is necessarily always the way to improve … We’ve seen a lot of internal improvement already”
Yes, there have been some internal options that have stepped up this season. Nick Blankenburg has been a pleasant surprise. However, he’s currently on the shelf. One of the fill-ins following the latest Chris Tanev injury, Marshall Rifai, is also on the shelf.
That’s three defensemen on the shelf for the Maple Leafs. But it’s still not likely going to trigger a panic move by Chayka.
And that’s just the thing.
GMs tend to make hasty moves when they see situations such as this. But unless a move implies claiming someone on waivers, pulling the trigger on a trade might not actually be the best idea moving forward.
Troy Stecher Has Been a Great Story for the Maple Leafs This Season
One of the guys who’s really stepped up this season is Troy Stecher. The 32-year-old was a great pickup last season, but hadn’t truly stepped up beyond a depth, third-pairing role.
This season has been a completely different story.
Stecher has taken over a meaningful role in the top four, scoring a huge goal against the New York Rangers a few nights ago.
When looking at Stecher, he’s seemed more confident and far more engaged on both sides of the puck. He scored against his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, on Saturday night. He also played a solid game in Monday night’s loss.
It’s those things that have made Stecher a pleasant surprise for the Maple Leafs this season.
Hopefully, he can be one of the major reasons that keep the club afloat during the current injury situation.
Could a Trade Still Be on the Horizon?
There is no question that John Chayka is not sitting on his duff, lighting cigars with $100 bills.
But the reality is that the trade market isn’t the most conducive to a trade at this point. It’s still too early in the season for some teams to engage in panic selling. Meanwhile, everyone around the league is dealing with injuries. So, there’s a natural scarcity at some positions.
And yes, some guys have hit the waiver wire. But one has to think that not every guy is a fit. There’s also the fact that the current injuries don’t appear to be long-term ones.
All of that makes it clear that the Maple Leafs don’t need to rush into a deal. As long as the current core keeps the team afloat, Chayka won’t be looking to push the button anytime soon.
Of course, that could change. That’s why it’s worth keeping an eye on the Leafs’ defensive situation as the season progresses.
Maple Leafs Fans Shouldn’t Expect Blueline Trade Anytime Soon