This season has been a fairly solid one thus far for the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the team pushing to a 12-6-2 start despite a lengthy absence from captain Auston Matthews and other key pieces.
For weeks now, the team have been involved in trade rumours as they look to upgrade the team ahead of a potential Stanley Cup run, with Luke Fox of Sportsnet now predicting they could chase one of this season's top performers.
According to Fox, there are plenty of names that Toronto could look to acquire, but the best of all would be Mikael Granlund of the San Jose Sharks, who has been off to an amazing start this year.
On a struggling Sharks team, Granlund has posted 9 goals and 24 points in just 23 games played, and with an expiring contract and a potential role as the 3C in Toronto, the fit is almost too perfect.
While the Maple Leafs have switched things up with Matthews out of the lineup, it's clear that when he returns they need someone to fill the 3C role, and if it won't be Max Domi, an outside choice is the best one here.
It's unclear what the team would be willing to give up to get him, but considering how much one Stanley Cup would mean to Toronto, it's safe to say that any move would be worth it for the likes of Granlund.
There's definitely other names out there in contention to help fill some key roles with the Maple Leafs, but given the lack of depth down the middle as they look to finally go on a deep Stanley Cup, the time is now to make a move for a player like Granlund.
POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 24 | 104 ANSWERS NHL Analyst Luke Fox Links Maple Leafs to Top Scorer for Center Role Should the Toronto Maple Leafs pursue Mikael Granlund? | ||
Yes | 47 | 45.2 % |
No | 57 | 54.8 % |
List of polls |