Will this be the day the Leafs make a major trade? The expansion draft takes place tonight, and we can expect to hear plenty of trades announced in the process. The NHL Awards Show is bound to see record ratings, so Auston Matthews will have quite the audience if (when) he wins the Calder.
In terms of trade targets, a big name to watch is Colin Miller of the Boston Bruins. The 24 year old is a right-shooting defenceman with excellent shot differential numbers, and he played under Leafs Assistant General Manager Kyle Dubas in Sault Ste Marie. Miller was sheltered a bit from tough minutes in Boston, but his numbers indicate that he is ready to take on a bigger role. The Leafs could look to fill a team need while weakening the roster of a division rival.
Jason Demers, Josh Manson, Matt Dumba, and Calvin de Hann would also represent major upgrades, but it looks like these teams could have some sort of deal in place with Vegas. Other options include Brayden McNabb to play on the third pairing, Antti Raanta to provide an insurance option in goal, or Marcus Kruger to become the new 4th line centre. Eric Staal, Jonathan Marchessault, James Neal, and David Perron would help any team in the offensive end.
I expect the Golden Knights to take Brendan Leipsic over Kerby Rychel, but who knows if Lou Lamoriello can pull off a last minute deal. The time is now to acquire a defenceman or backup goaltender, so let’s hope that the Leafs can take full advantage of this opportunity.
In Case You Missed It:
Maple Leafs In Process of Making A Deal With Vegas Per Report- Katya Knappe
70% of our readers voted that a deal with Vegas should focus around acquiring a defenceman.
Prowling the Unprotected List For Leafs Targets- Arvind
Who can the Leafs work with Vegas to get?
2017 NHL Expansion Draft: Toronto Maple Leafs Protected Players- Elseldo
Brendan Leipsic, Kerby Rychel, and Martin Marincin should be of interest to Vegas.
SB Nation Mock Draft Day 8: The Penguins Put Their Foote In- Elseldo
Ryan Poehling, Callan Foote, and Maxime Comtois were picked 22nd, 23rd, and 24th respectively.
Leafs To Play Some Pre-Season Games in Ricoh Coliseum This Year- Katya Knappe
The Leafs will beat the Buffalo Sabres on September 22nd, then the Montreal Canadiens on September 25th.
From The Branches:
Could the Golden Knights Make another addition down the middle?
Report: Penguins Have Made Trade With Vegas For Expansion- Hooks Orpik, Pensburgh
Bob McKenzie speculates that the Penguins are one of the six teams that already have a trade in place with the Golden Knights.
Expansion Mock Draft: OTF Takes on Vegas
Here’s what the Vegas Golden Knights could look like after tonight.
