"At this point in the season, the ship has pretty much sailed on the Maple Leafs, making a major move to salvage the season. Any substantial moves would be better served as offseason transactions aimed to boost next season's playoff chances. That said, one insider keeps pushing the button on the Maple Leafs, making a major splash. In particular, James Mirtle of The Athletic believes that the Maple Leafs should pursue New Jersey Devils blueliner Dougie Hamilton."
"That's why an addition like Hamilton is better as an offseason move than a trade deadline situation. But there's one interesting reason that could justify Mirtle's suggestion. The Devils are still looking to move Hamilton. Just because Hughes is out doesn't mean New Jersey feels it's stuck with the veteran blueliner. So, if the Leafs take on the bulk of Hamilton's cap hit, the deal could make sense for both sides."
The Maple Leafs are unlikely to make a major deadline move to salvage the season; substantial roster changes are better directed toward the offseason to improve next year's playoff chances. An insider recommends pursuing New Jersey defenseman Dougie Hamilton to address Toronto's blue-line needs. Rumors resurfaced but cooled when the Devils lost Luke Hughes to a pre-Olympic shoulder injury. Major obstacles include Toronto's tight salary-cap situation, making an immediate acquisition difficult. The Devils remain willing to move Hamilton, and a transaction could work if Toronto absorbs most of his cap hit, favoring an offseason deal.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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