"Vancouver is looking at trading their older stars, so shipping away one of the best defensemen in the NHL may be a stretch, but why wouldn't they consider it if Matthew Knies went back in return? The Leafs are clearly in a win-now window and although Knies is a huge help to their top-six, the thing they desperately need is a puck-moving defenseman."
"Ever since Bryan McCabe and Thomas Kaberle played for this team, the Leafs haven't had a true number-one defenseman, and it's the main thing that has stopped them in the playoffs. Every legitimate Stanley Cup team has a player who can eat 30 minutes and play penalty-kill and power-play, yet the Leafs haven't had that player. In order to move this team forward, they need a number-one defenseman they can work with and Quinn Hughes can be that player."
Toronto needs a puck-moving, top-pairing defenseman to advance in the playoffs. Vancouver is exploring trades of older stars but is not prioritizing trading Quinn Hughes; they might consider the right return. Matthew Knies is a valuable top-six forward who could be offered in a swap, but Toronto values Knies’ immediate impact. The Leafs have lacked a true number-one defenseman since Bryan McCabe and Thomas Kaberle and require a player who can log heavy minutes, kill penalties, and run a power play. Quinn Hughes fits that profile, and any trade would require assurance he would re-sign.
Read at Editor In Leaf
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]