The Maple Leafs have three strong centre options before the deadline.
As the March 8th NHL Trade Deadline approaches, there is still a lot of conjecture about what teams may do. Some people have already done their shopping, while others need to get started. This includes Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.
While they may hold pat because they haven’t shown to be buyers, there’s reason to believe the Maple Leafs will make a significant move. During the Maple Leafs’ game against the Dallas Stars, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman stated in his 32 Thoughts that the Maple Leafs continue to circle Calgary Flames defender Chris Tanev as a primary target, but that they may also be looking for a centre.
Depth in the midfield may benefit any squad, especially since it is an area that can constantly be improved. Should the Maple Leafs go that route, there are some standout options on trade bait boards.
Blake Coleman
If the Flames make a bigger move with Tanev, the Maple Leafs have plenty of options up front. One of them could be Blake Coleman, but there must be a lot of movement and money in and out.
He’s everything the club needs in terms of a solid, two-way pivot. He’s speedy, intense, has two Stanley Cup rings, and plays the manner a team needs to win on a continuous basis. His contract is the one factor that may make it unlikely. He’s signed for the next three seasons at $4.9 million per year beyond this one and has a no-movement clause for this season. The value is not horrible, although there may be some pay retention there. Another factor to consider is his NMC, but there is always the possibility that he will waive it to join a team in the hopes of making a deep run. We witnessed this with Andrei Kuzmenko, who waived in the Elias Lindholm deal.
Coleman is currently fulfilling his obligations under the contract. He now ranks second in team scoring with 21 goals and 43 points, trailing only Nazem Kadri. This is his third season with 20 goals, having previously done it twice with the New Jersey Devils. Even his underlying numbers are strong. Coleman has the third-best Corsi for % (54.03), goals for percentage (59.02), and high danger goals for percentage (63.33) among five-on-five players with 300 minutes. He also plays an important role on the penalty kill, averaging 1:38 per game.
Coleman is the kind of player this club needs. He can play the body and give a strong defensive presence within his own zone, as well as close gaps and pressure opponents with his speed. If the Maple Leafs need a dependable, active middle-six forward, he’s an ideal candidate.
Scott Laughton
This isn’t the first time that the Philadelphia Flyers centre can be considered as a fit for the Maple Leafs. With 21 points in 53 games this season, he ranks fourth on TSN’s trade bait list, and his contract may be appealing to the Maple Leafs. He carries a $3 million cap cost for the next two seasons and is a terrific third-line center. While the contract benefits them, Scott Laughton’s aggressive style and enthusiasm are a huge asset to any team.
While Laughton has demonstrated that he can be a successful role player who is physical and contributes on both sides of the puck, he has struggled this year. He’s on track for 32 points, far short of the 43 he scored the previous season. He has been on for 32 5-on-5 goals against and has not provided many scoring or high-danger chances, scoring less than 45% in both categories.
This might be a problem for a team like the Maple Leafs, who rely on dependable secondary scoring. It could merely be a battle for him this season, as Laughton has done in the past, especially at the 2023 World Championship, where he scored eight points in ten games and won gold. He adds a strong veteran presence, leadership characteristics, and physicality that will be a valuable complement to this club.
The Maple Leafs have been uneven in this regard, and his fierce and relentless style may benefit a team like the Maple Leafs in the playoffs.
Adam Henrique
With Lindholm and Sean Monahan gone, the emphasis now shifts to Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique. Since last season, I’ve thought of Henrique as an ideal fit for the Maple Leafs to add. This season, it remains true, as he is once again a player the organization could consider to improve their attacking unit.
Henrique is on the final season of his deal, with a $5.825 million cap hit, and while the Ducks are at the bottom of the standings, his worth is rather high. He has 15 goals and 35 points in 50 games, giving him a 0.70 point per game average. This is his seventh 20-goal season. While he’s on the
Henrique possesses the size to play a powerful, power forward game that will complement the Maple Leafs’ main players. He can play at a high pace while crashing the net and battling in difficult areas of the ice. He may not be physically fit, but he is intelligent and can gain an advantage in battles and create separation. Furthermore, he is more positionally sound and responsible than some of the team’s current forwards and can play a variety of roles in the lineup.
While defense is certainly the top priority, if the Maple Leafs are serious about adding depth in the center of the ice, they have plenty of quality possibilities. Coleman, Laughton, and Henrique all contribute either the grit required for tough play or the skill that can complement this team and provide some excellent secondary scoring. Treliving has a lot of work to do to shake up this club and improve their current situation.
