Toronto Maple Leafs lose out on trade target as Center is officially taken off the board
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for a reliable third-line center but they'll need to look elsewhere after Juuso Parssinen was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
As reported by Hockey Patrol, Brad Treliving and the Leafs front office are feeling the pressure to upgrade their roster as they aim for a deep playoff run.
Juuso Parssinen was an ideal candidate for the Leafs needs which is size, versatility and affordability.
However, Nashville dealt him to Colorado in exchange for Ondrej Pavel and a seventh-round pick and the move eliminates one of the more cost-effective options Toronto might have pursued.
Parssinen had registered five points in 15 games this season and could have been a valuable depth addition for the Leafs.
While Toronto has a solid 22-12-2 record and shares the top spot in the Atlantic Division, the trade rumors surrounding the team have yet to happen.
With several key targets already moved such as Jacob Trouba, Cam Fowler and now Parssinen, the pool of available players is thinning.
If the Leafs want to avoid overpaying closer to the March 7 trade deadline, they must act now and some names like Brock Nelson and Chris Kreider have been named, but they come with heavy price tags.
Yanni Gourde from the Seattle Kraken remains a viable option and is offering playoff experience and defensive reliability.
Fans' patience could wear thin if Brad Treliving doesn't land a suitable depth piece soon and while the Leafs have time to make a move, missing out on affordable options like Parssinen is not good for the organization.
The team must balance improving their roster and avoiding desperate moves that could hurt them long-term.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 29 | 173 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs lose out on trade target as Center is officially taken off the board Do you think Brad Treliving should make a move to acquire Yanni Gourde? | ||
| Yes | 101 | 58.4 % |
| No | 72 | 41.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
