3 Maple Leafs change targets from the Kings-Rangers game

It’s been almost a month since the start of the new year, and the NHL trade deadline seems to be fast approaching. At this point in the season, many teams are trying to solidify their rosters for a final playoff berth. Toronto Maine Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe recently said he’s not sure who he trusts on his roster after 42 games into the season. That’s not what you want to hear from your team at the end of the season. competitor.

There are rumors within the team about gaining more power and additional defensive units. So it’s no surprise that Maple Leafs representatives are attending other league games and looking for potential trade targets.

So when the Los Angeles Kings met the New York Rangers on January 20, he was a member of the Maple Leafs scout team. While there aren’t any specific targets they should be keeping an eye on, here are three potential players the Maple Leafs could land in the Kings vs. Rangers.

This isn’t the first time the Maple Leafs have been linked to Barclay Goodreau. Before signing with the Rangers, his name was widely known in Leafs Nation as a bottom-six free agent.

During that time, Goodrow won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and posted a 20-point season in 55 games for the bottom-six Lightning. Upon his return to the Lightning, he signed a six-year contract worth just over $3.64 million per year through 2026-27. However, it also includes a modified no-trade clause that comes with a 15-team no-trade list. So this maple leaf will be the first obstacle to clear.

However, his performance has improved since joining Rangers this season. In 2021-22, he appeared in 79 games, averaging 17 minutes per game and scoring a career-high 33 points, including 13 goals. He recorded 31 points in 82 games during the 2022-23 season, logging more than two minutes of ice time per game. He has the physique and never-quit mentality and is something the Maple Leafs could use more of in their squad as consistency has been an issue for the club this season. As for Goudreau, something is wrong this season, he has 1 goal and 5 points in 44 games and only 9 points. That would be the lowest scoring total since 2016-17 with the San Jose Sharks. , when he only played three games. Goudreau is an interesting option for the Maple Leafs because he is under contract and not too expensive. This is what the Tag Team could do with another small move in their lineup.

Another option the Maple Leafs could look at from the Rangers is veteran Nick Bonino. The 35-year-old has just five points in 44 games with the Rangers this season.

Bonino doesn’t offer as much physically and offensively as the Maple Leafs do with Goudreau, but he brings a lot of playoff experience. In fact, he appeared in 105 playoff games for five teams over 10 seasons. He also won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16 and 2016-17. Bonino’s only problem was renting it. He signs a one-year contract with a maximum annual salary of $800,000. It wouldn’t cost much to land him, but there’s a question of whether landing Bonino would be worth it based on what’s on the Maple Leafs’ roster.

His game right now isn’t separate enough from his current players to be a top target, but his on-ice experience could come in handy for a team looking to get over the hump in the playoffs. At this point, it’s possible, but unlikely, that Bonino was targeted.

The final potential target for the Maple Leafs is in the back. Kings guard Matt Roy. As we have established, the Maple Leafs are looking for additional players to improve their blue line, and Roy may be an underrated asset.

The 28-year-old was a seventh-round pick of the Kings in 2015. He made his debut in the 2018/19 season and showed his attacking flair in the following matches as well as the ability to eat up defences.

He had his best offensive season in the 2022–23 season, scoring 9 goals and 26 points in 82 games. He matched that with 13 points in the team’s first 43 games this season.