The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in trading for New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck this offseason.
The Maple Leafs are expected to make a slew of roster moves this offseason as the team looks to retool its lineup after missing the playoffs this season for the first time in a decade. With new general manager John Chayka and senior advisor Mats Sundin now running the show, the Maple Leafs could look very different next season under their new management, and with a new head coach, after Craig Berube was fired this week.
Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
Various reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Maple Leafs could be interested in acquiring more center depth for next season. To that end, TSN insider Darren Dreger says that the Leafs are interested in Trocheck, the veteran Rangers center. He is a very solid two-way player who would certainly fit in well with this Leafs team. Dreger said on TSN OverDrive on Thursday that the Leafs may try to acquire Trocheck in a trade from the Rangers this offseason
“NEWS: Darren Dreger on OverDrive says the Maple Leafs are showing interest to acquire Vincent Trocheck in the offseason #LeafsForever,” tweeted out OverDrive.
Trocheck is 32 years old, and he is coming off a solid season for the Rangers, where he played 67 games with 16 goals and 53 points. Trocheck has played in 13 seasons in the league, playing 868 games with 239 goals and 631 points for the Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers. He is known as a respected two-way center who is a strong leader in the locker room, good on the faceoff dot, and someone who can chip in with points. For a Maple Leafs team that needs more depth in its forward group, Trocheck checks off a lot of boxes for the team.
What Would Vincent Trocheck Cost in a Trade?
Trocheck has two years left on his contract, paying him $5.265 million per season. The Maple Leafs will have $20 million of cap room this offseason, so they can bring in Trocheck no problem.
As for what he would cost in a trade, the Rangers would likely be looking for a package of draft picks, prospects, and salary cap relief for him. The Leafs have a decent amount of draft picks over the next few years that they could potentially package together in a trade for Trocheck. There are also a few players on the Leafs’ roster that the Rangers could be interested in, too.
As far as the motivation from the Rangers to trade Trocheck, the team was awful this year, finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference, one spot worse than the Leafs. They have to make serious changes to their roster, so trading Trocheck’s salary and opening up his minutes makes a lot of sense for them. We’ll see if the Maple Leafs end up actually coming through with this deal, but on paper, it is a potential trade that seems to make sense for both hockey clubs.
Maple Leafs Interested In Trading For Vincent Trocheck