NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks And Toronto Maple Leafs
Greetings from the latest NHL Rumours edition! The hockey world is responding appropriately to the release of the all-star rosters and jerseys. Considering his injury, it’s amazing that Connor Bedard has been skating. Still, there’s a lot of buzz and rumors going around the league. We’re concentrating on the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs today.
Elliote Friedman talks about rumors and whether the Maple Leafs should be big buyers.
It is starting to become a close race in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Not to mention that playoff hockey is finally here and the Metropolitan Division is turning into a real challenge. When teams are only a few points apart, every game counts. Regarding the Maple Leafs, the same is true.
The Maple Leafs are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division, but it’s by a narrow margin. They are only one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings. To go to the next level, Toronto needs to find their next gear. Is it wise to invest this season, given the impending trade deadline?
In terms of offense, the team is unstoppable and will always be their means of transportation. Defense and goaltending, however, are still up for debate. In 5v5, Toronto has given up the sixteenth-most shot attempts, the nineteenth-most shots on goal, and the eighteenth-most goals. In addition, the team’s goaltending has been subpar throughout the season; they currently rank 20th in save percentage (.896). The squad could benefit from a back end and net upgrade. Is it worthwhile for this season, though?
According to Friedman, the Leafs might be debating whether to make a purchase. especially considering the club’s meager resource allocation. Toronto does not have a second or third round pick in this year’s draft and has very little salary cap space to work with. This draft, Brad Treliving might want to hang onto its first round pick. They have attempted to upgrade in the past, so they have the desire, but given their limited resources, they might as well ride the wave and hope everything works out.
Rumor: Goalie Petr Mrazek is on TSN’s list of potential trade candidates.
The Western Conference is the subject of the following round of NHL rumors. It’s no secret that the Chicago Blackhawks were going to have a disappointing season. It was a smart move to lock Nick Foligno to an extension, and Connor Bedard has lived up to the hype. Players may leave this trade deadline, even though those players will help mold the squad for the upcoming campaign. Goalie Petr Mrazek is one of those players.
Behind the Blackhawks’ defense, Mrazek has been dependable. His save percentage is.904 and his goals against average are 3.09. He has also saved 1.0 goals more than anticipated, which is not too bad overall. Selling players in exchange for assets makes sense given that the team is currently in full rebuild mode.
Mrazek can easily fill in as a goalie because so many teams are in need of assistance. In the last year of his deal, Mrazek’s pay is subject to a $3.8 million salary cap. He won’t come at a steep cost, and any team that is in the running will benefit greatly from having him on staff.
