There’s been plenty of speculation over the last few weeks that the Maple Leafs could look outside the organization for help and with the recent reports of scouts being at Anaheim Ducks games, rumors have once again been heating up on social media about a potential trade.
With the Ducks looking to cut some salary to resign Hampus Lindholm, hockey experts have explored moves that could make that happen and the most common thought is they will attempt to move Cam Fowler.
Reports earlier this month had the 24-year-old linked with the Leafs’ and now with the slow start and high expectations, exploring a move now could help this franchise rebound from its slow start.
Fowler is a terrific two-way player and while not known for his physical presence on the ice, the young man is terrific running the power play and has enough skill to improve the back line in Toronto. His addition would also help Andersen with confidence, which is currently lacking and would be a great public relations move with the fans.
With Anaheim looking to dump salary, the other good news is it wouldn’t cost the Maple Leafs much in terms on prospects or draft picks being sent to Southern California. Reports have a third line player or possibly a second or third round draft pick and the deal is done, not a bad risk for a player with plenty of upside.
There have also been talk around the NHL on Anaheim moving Lindholm, but that would be costly as the youngster is looking for upwards of $6 million per year and that type of money would limit the number of teams looking to add a defender and it would definitely keep Toronto out of the loop.
