The Toronto Maple Leafs are still working the market for help on the blue line, and the search could lead to more than one move before the March 1st NHL trade deadline.
Daily Faceoff Toronto’s Nick Alberga asked whether there was anything new to add to the Maple Leafs’ trade conversation, and Pagnotta said the club is still active behind the scenes.
“They’re still looking. They’re still doing their thing, due diligence, whatever term you want to use, in trying to, trying to improve the blue line.
And I could see multiple moves happening by the end of trade deadline. But you know, they’re, they’re still looking around.
“Like Simon Edvinsson is exactly what they need, but it’s a hell of a that’s a hell of a return you’re going to have to give up for the kid. Barring that, and I’ve got to feel a lot of fans would, would be torn on, on a potential Edvinsson trade when if it were to happen.
“Other than that, that’s at least, that’s the calibre defenseman that they’re looking for. They’re looking for big bodies that, that can shut down in their own zone and get that puck off the ice. So, again, status quo for the time being, but just reaffirming what they’re looking for.”
Edvinsson is the kind of defenseman Toronto has in mind, but the cost would be steep, and Pagnotta suggested that would leave plenty of fans split if a deal ever got that far.
In Edmonton, the focus may be on adding size up front first, with a defenseman potentially coming later.
David Staple of the Edmonton Journal reported that Bob Stauffer said over the weekend he believes the Oilers will try to add a power forward before the deadline.
“And I still think they’re going to add one more forward into the mix at some point that’s got some size that can allow them to ground and pound, especially the lines three through four.”
The Oilers, according to the report, could also eventually turn to the blue line. Last year, many expected forward help to be the priority at the deadline, but Edmonton made defense the focus instead. This year, the same could happen, with the team in need of a puck-moving, right-handed defenseman.
Connor Murphy and Ty Emberson are the Oilers’ only right-handed defensemen, and neither is described as a puck mover.
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