Toronto Maple Leafs Officially Inquire About $25 Million Islanders Defenseman
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving needs to do something at the trade deadline here and it seems like a defenseman could very well be in the cards.
The trade deadline is tomorrow and the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to make a move which has created a ton of anxiety amongst the team's fanbase.
However, Treliving has been working the phones today and appears to be inquiring about a plethora of different players, whether they be centers, defenseman, or even some depth wingers.
Toronto Maple Leafs like what the New York Islanders are selling
One team that has been a potential trade partner for the Maple Leafs is the New York Islanders and this is because of their veteran center Brock Nelson.
The Islanders have considered trading Nelson, and the Leafs are one of the teams who are most interested in his services.
According to Stefen Rosner, however, Treliving called the Islanders today for a completely different reason. It would appear as though the team is interested in 32-year-old defenseman Scott Mayfield.
Mayfield is in year two of a seven-year, $24.5 million deal and is a shutdown defenseman who would be a huge injection of depth into this lineup.
The 6'5" defenseman is by no means an offensive minded guy as he two goals and seven points in 53 games this season. What he does have, is a net rating of +14 and a frame that immediately commands respect from his opponents.
Mayfield has played over 500 games in his career and he has the defensive experience the Maple Leafs need right about now.
He is also a right-handed shot which makes him that much more value off the rip. Having said that, Rosner did not confirm just how interested the Islanders would be in making this trade.
It is also unknown what the price would be for a guy like Mayfield. He is in the midst of a long contract, which certainly helps out the Leafs in many respects. Simply put, this would be more than a rental.
Perhaps a two birds one stone trade involving Nelson could work here. However, that would be expensive for the Leafs.
The possibilities are endless but now, it is up to Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs to execute.
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