The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly looking to add defenseman at the trade deadline. The team has already made one move when they added Ilya Lyubushkin, but he has since been injured. As such, the team could look to add another blueliner immediately.
Maple Leafs Looking To Add Right Handed Defenseman Via Trade
One option that is available is Coyotes blueliner Matt Dumba. While the 29-year-old hasn't produced much offense lately, he is still a steady two-way presence. Perhaps more importantly, he's right handed. NHL insider David Pagnotta has him among the blueliners the Leafs have reportedly asked about so far.
"The Leafs are believed to have varying degrees of interest in such defencemen as David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens, Matt Dumba of the Arizona Coyotes, Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues, Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks and Joel Edmundson of the Washington Capitals, among others."
That being said, Leafs fans online do not seem to be too thrilled about the idea.
Another option is Canadiens defenseman David Savard. Like Dumba, he also shoots right. Unlike Dumba, he has another year left on his deal, so he would not be a pure rental. This could peak Brad Treliving's interest, but it also will increase his cost.
Canadiens Asking High Price For Savard At Trade Deadline
That being said, the Leafs may be in a tough spot when it comes to acquiring Savard. The Canadiens do not need to trade him as he still has another year left on his contract. As such, the team is likely going to ask for a lot in return. NHL insider Pierre Lebrun believes the asking price is a first round pick or a high level prospect, two types of assets Brad Treliving has been reluctant to part with so far.
There's clearly a conversation happening within that Habs front office, though, about Savard's value, both in terms of staying put and what it would take to move him. It's a healthy debate. I think it would take a first-round pick, a young player with value equivalent to a first-round pick or multiple picks with combined value equivalent to a first.
Regardless of what Brad Treliving does, it should be an interesting remainder of the season for the Leafs.