Welcome to the newest edition of NHL Rumours! The all-star rosters and jerseys have been released and the hockey world is reacting to those accordingly. Connor Bedard has been skating, which is remarkable given his injury. However, there is rumour talk and buzz swirling around the league. Today we focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumours: Elliote Friedman discusses whether the Maple Leafs should be heavy buyers
The NHL’s Eastern Conference is beginning to be a tight race. Also, the Metropolitan Division is becoming a gauntlet and the time for playoff hockey is now. With teams separated by a matter of points, every game matters. The same can be said for the Maple Leafs.
As it stands, the Maple Leafs hold the third spot in the Atlantic Division, but the margins are slim. The Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning are just one point behind them. Toronto needs to find that next gear to take them to the next level. With the trade deadline around the corner, does buying in on this season make sense?
Offensively, the team is a juggernaut and continues to be the plane that carries them. However, goaltending and defence remain a question mark. Toronto has allowed the 16th most shot attempts, 19th most shots on goal, and the 18th most goals allowed at 5v5. Furthermore, the goaltending has been suspect all season, with the team sitting 20th in save percentage (.896). The team could use an upgrade in net and on the back end. But is it worth it for this season?
Friedman states that the Leafs may be asking themselves if they should buy. Especially given the amount of limited resources the club has. Toronto has very little salary cap space to work with and does not have a second or third round pick in this year’s draft. Brad Treliving may want to hold onto its first round selection this draft. The desire to upgrade is there, as they have tried before but with limited resources they may just ride the wave and hope the cards fall into place.
Chicago Blackhawks
Rumour: TSN has listed goaltender Petr Mrazek among trade candidates
The next set of NHL Rumours take us to the Western Conference. It is no secret that this was to be a down year for the Chicago Blackhawks. Connor Bedard has been everything as advertised and locking up Nick Foligno to an extension was a wise decision. While those players will help shape the team next season, players could be departing this trade deadline. One of those players is goaltender Petr Mrazek.
Mrazek has been steady behind the Blackhawks defence. He has a 3.09 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. Also, he has -1.0 goals saved above expected, which is not horrible overall. With the team in full rebuild mode, selling off players for assets is a wise decision.
With the number of teams needing goalie help, Mrazek can step right in and fill the void. Mrazek is in the final year of his contract and has a salary cap hit of $3.8 million. The price to land him should not be high and he will be a great depth addition to any contending team.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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