The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a tight spot on the blueline. The loss of top shutdown defenseman Chris Tanev has forced GM Brad Treliving to work overtime. His main task has been to find a serviceable replacement for Tanev moving forward.
However, finding such a replacement is not easy. The market is pretty dry with few true top-notch shutdown blueliners available.
That being said, there could be one option the Maple Leafs could acquire to plug the gap left by Tanev. That option could be Chicago Blackhawks veteran rearguard Connor Murphy. Murphy is in the final year of a four-year deal carrying a $4.4 million cap hit.
The Blackhawks have been looking to move out Murphy in hopes of giving him a chance at a playoff run. While the Maple Leafs aren’t exactly a top contender, at least not right now, the club does offer Murphy a shot at the playoffs.
Here’s what this trade could look like:
Maple Leafs get:
Connor Murphy, D
Blackhawks get:
Matias Maccelli, F
The 1-for-1 deal allows the Maple Leafs to clear enough cap space while adding a serviceable replacement on the blue line. Of course, Murphy is not the puck-moving defenseman the Leafs have reportedly targeted. But then again, there’s a bigger need for a defensively reliable blueliner.
Plus, the Maple Leafs could find a taker for Maccelli. He would be a cap casualty as the hits pretty much offset one another.
If the Leafs place Tanev on LTIR, the math would become even easier. Toronto might be able to pluck Murphy for a couple of draft picks instead of giving up a roster player.
Maple Leafs Depend on Tanev’s Prognosis
This entire trade idea depends on Tanev’s prognosis. If he could be available at some point this season, the Maple Leafs would need to clear cap space at some point. The rationale for that lies in the playoff cap.
While the Leafs could add Murphy while Tanev is on LTIR, activating Tanev for the playoffs would make it difficult to ice a cap-compliant lineup.
But if the Maple Leafs placed Tanev on season-ending LTIR, the cap space would be there to add someone like Connor Murphy without sacrificing a roster piece like Maccelli.
Leafs Holding Their Breath on Tanev
The Maple Leafs are essentially holding their breath on Chris Tanev. The entire holdup will be if he chooses to have surgery for the groin injury he sustained late last month. If he does, the prognosis could mean his return could be around mid-April at the earliest.
However, there’s no guarantee that would actually be the case. Tanev could end up missing more time. Hence, surgery could mean ending his season. While hardly encouraging, shutting down Tanev for the year gives the Maple Leafs much-needed certainty.
Unless someone can step up to take his place, the Maple Leafs will be on the lookout for a suitable replacement. It remains unclear what Tanev’s future could be. More information could be forthcoming, determining what course of action Treliving could take.
Maple Leafs Trade Idea Lands Replacement for Tanev