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The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly been looking to acquire a top four defensemen since the end of last season. At the NHL Draft in Chicago, there were indications that the club was talking to the New York Islanders about Travis Hamonic, who eventually was dealt to Calgary for three high draft picks.
The Leafs eventually settled on a stopgap solution by signing veteran Ron Hainsey, but they continue to be connected to any blueliner who is rumored to available.
On Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks finally moved defenseman Sami Vatanen to the New Jersey Devils for forwards Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi.
Vatanen was rumored be on the trade block since last season and with the advancement of youngsters such as Brandon Montour and Josh Manson, Ducks GM Bob Murray had the luxury of dealing the 26-year-old for some much needed reinforcements at forward, with Ryan Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrick Eaves and others out injured.
The cost for a top-four defenseman was not as steep as previously expected, as Henrique is a quality top-six forward, but not a superstar and Blandisi is primarily a depth forward.
According to reports, the deal was negotiated between Murray and Devils GM Ray Shero over the last 10 days and that likely means that Vatanen’s availability was not a secret to other teams looking for defensive help.
There are no indications whether the Maple Leafs were involved in any trade discussion for Vatanen, but based on the bevy of forwards the club has and their obvious interest in upgrading on the blueline, it is hard to believe that GM Lou Lamoriello could not have made a more attractive offer than the Devils.
Their inability or unwillingness to acquire a blueliner making less than $5 Million for the next two seasons brings into question what the Leafs are willing to give up to upgrade on defense.
There understandably no appetite in trading a top young forward such as Mitch Marner or William Nylander, but it appears that they are not willing to deal a player of equivalent value (Connor Brown, James van Riemsdyk or Tyler Bozak) or that the pending free agents do not have as much value on the trade market.
Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock could be in a mindset similar to last season, where they are willing to deal a draft pick for a short-term upgrade (as they did with the acquisition of Brian Boyle) to add to the existing group, but it is debatable whether that will be enough to improve them on defense.
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The Leafs hope to continue their recent success on the road as they face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Toronto is 8-4-1 on the road this season, but are 4-0-1 in the last five games, including a 4-1 victory in Calgary on Tuesday.
Auston Matthews did not take part in the morning skate at Rogers Place due to a cold, but Babcock indicated that the Leafs leading scorer will be in the lineup. Edmonton placed starting goalie Cam Talbot on injured reserve with an upper body injury on Thursday, and will start backup Laurent Brossoit (0-3-1, 3.31 GAA and .881 save %), while the Leafs will go with Frederik Andersen (14-7-1, 2.71 GAA, .919 save %) for a league-leading 23rd start of the season.
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