The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently in a prime position to compete for the Stanley Cup, and one trade suggestion has them targeting a third-line center and a top defenseman.
Using the PuckGM tool on PuckPedia, a user proposed a trade where the Maple Leafs would acquire David Savard and Jake Evans from the Montreal Canadiens.
Maple Leafs acquire:
- David Savard
- Jake Evans
- Canadiens acquire:
- Nick Robertson
- 2027 first-round pick
- 2027 fourth-round pick
- The proposed trade is logical, as it strengthens Toronto’s roster for their Stanley Cup push while providing Montreal with two draft picks and a young forward to aid in their rebuilding efforts.
Savard would bring valuable Stanley Cup experience to the Maple Leafs, having played a crucial role on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s championship-winning team in 2021. He is in the final year of his four-year, $14 million contract. So far this season, he has played 24 games, recording 0 goals and 5 assists.
- Evans, on the other hand, would slot in as Toronto’s third-line center. He is in the final year of his three-year, $5.1 million contract and has registered 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 25 games this season.
For the Canadiens, the major return would be the draft picks, including a first-round selection. Additionally, Robertson would provide some offensive depth to Montreal’s young core and should be a solid fit. He has played 22 games this season, scoring 2 goals.
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Canadiens GM Listening to Offers
- Montreal is unlikely to make the playoffs this season, sitting at 9-13-3 and in last place in the Atlantic Division.
TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger reports that pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) such as Evans, Savard, Christian Dvorak, and Joel Armia could all be traded.
- Kent Hughes is open to any moves that would benefit the Canadiens’ future, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Speaking on TSN Radio on November 29, Dreger noted that Montreal is evaluating how players like Evans, Savard, Christian Dvorak, and Joel Armia fit into their long-term plans. He mentioned that there are always teams in need of quality defensemen, which is why players like Mike Matheson and Savard are potential trade chips.
However, Dreger also pointed out that Montreal is hopeful they can extend Evans and avoid trading him. “I think Evans is the player the Montreal Canadiens would like to hold onto, that’s my impression,” Dreger said. “He’s an energy guy and has had an effective start to the year in the bottom six.”
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Maple Leafs’ Robertson a Likely Trade Candidate
- Robertson, who requested a trade from Toronto this past summer but ended up signing a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs, has struggled to produce this season, and his name has resurfaced in trade rumors. NHL analyst Adam Proteau of The Hockey News suggests that Robertson could be a good fit for the Colorado Avalanche.
“Another option for the Avs is Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Nick Robertson, a healthy scratch of late for the Buds,” Proteau wrote. “Robertson is a far cheaper asset at just $875,000 for this season, and if Colorado can come up with a solid option of draft picks and/or prospects, they can add a youngster with speed and skill who would get much more opportunity than he’s getting in Leaf Land right now.”
- Robertson was selected 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL draft by the Maple Leafs.
