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Trade idea has Maple Leafs acquiring Alex DeBrincat.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a clear need for another top-line offensive weapon to replace the void of Mitch Marner.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Maple Leafs acquire Alex DeBrincat from the Detroit Red Wings in a blockbuster deal.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Red Wings acquire:
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Toronto would acquire DeBrincat, who can play on the top line, while Detroit gets a first-round pick, a top prospect, a star NHL defenseman, and a good NHL forward.
The Maple Leafs would add DeBrincat, who would replace Marner and play on Toronto’s top line. DeBrincat is entering the third year of his four-year, $31.5 million deal. DeBrincat is a proven offensive player and will replace the void of Marner. He recorded 39 goals and 31 assists for 70 points in 82 games. Toronto would also get a third-round pick to even the trade.
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, would give up a haul, but adding DeBrincat would make them a legit Stanley Cup contender. Cowan would be the key part of the deal, as well as the first-round pick, as he could push for NHL playing time this season.
The Red Wings would also acquire Rielly to make the salary work and be an impact defenseman for them. He’s in the fourth year of an eight-year, $60 million deal, but his name has come up in trade rumors. He’d be a top-four defenseman in Detroit.
The Maple Leafs would also give up McMann, who can help replace the offensive void of DeBrincat. McMann struggled down the stretch, and he isn’t guaranteed a roster spot.
DeBrincat Would be a Big Swing for the Maple Leafs
If Toronto trades for DeBrincat, it would be a massive move for general manager Brad Treliving.
The Maple Leafs are expected to take a step back this season after losing Marner. However, Toronto is open to making a move to add a top-six winger, according to Treliving.
“Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
DeBrincat would play on the top line alongside Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews and add some more offense to the lineup. He would also be a power play option replacing Marner on the top unit, or he can run the second unit to spread out the offense.
DeBrincat had 29 power-play points last season, which would help the Maple Leafs’ power play, which struggled down the stretch.
The American winger would be an all-in move for the Maple Leafs and Treliving.
Maple Leafs Looking to Trade Rielly
Rielly is the longest-tenured Maple Leafs player, but his future with the team is up in the air.
However, his play has taken a hit, and his name came up in trade rumors this summer. NHL insider David Pagnotta named Rielly a trade candidate on his summer trade list.
“Rielly has a full no-movement clause and controls his fate. During his exit interview with the media in May, Rielly said he hadn’t thought about leaving Toronto, but speculation across the league suggests the Leafs may explore a move. For that, we list him at the bottom of our trade watch,” Pagnotta wrote.
Although Rielly doesn’t want to move, plenty of players with no-movement clauses have been forced to waive them.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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