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Jay:Roy, Hague to Toronto? Ilnside the Potential Marner-to-Vegas Deal |
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The Toronto Maple Leafs' NHL Draft Weekend began not just with adding prospects, but with a potential franchise-altering trade. While General Manager Brad Treliving and his team put their stamp on the Leafs' prospect pool with six new selections, it was the work done during the draft that could have the biggest impact.
On Saturday afternoon, rumors began to swirl about deep trade discussions between the Maple Leafs and the Vegas Golden Knights. Unlike other deals over the weekend, this wasn't centered on draft picks. Instead, it would see the negotiation rights for superstar Mitch Marner head to Vegas ahead of the July 1st free agency opening.
Just a day earlier, the Leafs seemed resigned to losing Marner for nothing. By Saturday, however, Treliving expressed his preference to secure some form of compensation for his star's departure. Darren Dreger was the first to report the news, with Elliotte Friedman following up shortly after, and the story took off from there. As the initial sparse details emerged, specific names began to surface.
The first player named was Nicolas Roy, a 28-year-old, two-way center. Roy fits perfectly into the mold of what the Leafs are building as a right-handed centerman. Standing at 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, he plays the heavy style that coach Craig Berube loves. Defensively responsible, Roy started 53% of his shifts in his own zone against tough matchups and delivered 71 hits last season. He also added 15 goals in 71 games, a much-needed offensive contribution for the Leafs' bottom six.
Subsequent reports indicated that the Maple Leafs have also requested defenseman Nic Hague in the deal. The 6-foot-6, left-handed defender is another player who fits the style the Leafs covet—a brand of skill and physicality that creates nightmares for opposing forwards.
The final report of the night came from the Empty Netters Podcast, which revealed that the expected final return for Marner would be Roy, Hague, and supplemental draft picks. This deal is obviously contingent on Marner agreeing to a contract with Vegas, forgoing a potential bidding war on the open market.
If Treliving acquires these pieces, this trade will be considered a major win for the Leafs. It could solidify their bottom six, provide support for the center ice position, and add a defenseman whose presence could make Morgan Rielly more expendable. Time will tell if this gets over the line, but it’s clear the culture in Toronto is changing for the better.
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