Although the NHL trade deadline is done and over with this year, lasting until Monday, March 21 at 3 p.m. right on the dot, it is safe to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs made decisions that will hopefully have some positive impact on the future of the franchise.
One of my favourite, now former, Leafs player Travis Dermott – a defenseman and a Newmarket native – was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, in return of a 2022 third round pick. Now, I’m a true believer that the Canucks are rebuilding and are soon to have their prime time, along with some other teams, too. Dermott was a steady defenseman in my eyes, with five points in the 2021-22 regular season and was a great member of the team. He may not have had the largest amount of points or goals but he’s able to stop pucks, is reliable and one of my favourite defensemen to watch.
I personally don’t think that trading a steady defenseman for a third-round pick was the greatest plan. I would understand if it was for a first or even second-round pick. However, in the end it does makes sense, as they received a defenseman through another trade and it opened up some salary cap room.
Another trade made by the team was receiving Mark Giordano, the afore-mentioned new defenseman, and Colin Blackwell, a centre, both from the latest NHL team, the Seattle Kraken. Traded was their second round pick in 2022 and 2023 and a third rounder in 2024. These are great additions for the team, as Giordano is a fairly rough and sturdy player, standing at 6’1” and 200 pounds, bringing some edge and leadership that I think the Leafs could use some assistance with.
Giordano is considered a veteran of the game and also played for the Calgary Flames for many years prior to playing for the Kraken. He played there with current Toronto defenseman, T.J. Brodie. Which, if paired together, would lead to some easy chemistry on the ice.
There are so many more trade deadline details that I did not include, like goalie Marc-Andre Fleury being traded to the Minnesota Wild or winger Max Domi to Carolina, and even defenseman Josh Manson from Anaheim to Colorado. But no, I chose to write strictly about the Leafs because they are not only the closest in distance, but are thoroughly enjoyable to watch and are a staple sports team to root for in my family.
Another trade for the Leafs was yet another defenseman, Alex Biega. I don’t know too much about Biega, but I do know that the Leafs only signed him in the summer of 2021 to a one-year contract and didn’t seem to be a major stand out player, however the name did ring a bell. At the end of the single year, he got traded out to the Nashville Predators in return for future considerations.
The final trade came and went, as the Leafs received goalie Harri Säteri and signed him. However, the Arizona Coyotes ended up declaring him off of waivers instead.
Overall, it is clear to see the core of the Toronto Maple Leafs isn’t being traded anytime soon, including big salary cap players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly and John Tavares. And rightfully so, as Matthews has surpassed 50 goals this season and Rielly just received an extension on his contract. Nevertheless, it still is nice to bring in other players that could also benefit the team and I’d say it was a pretty good trade deadline for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Bea Todd is an LDSS co-operative education student at the Listowel Banner. For question or comment contact her at co-op@midwesternnewspapers.com.
