Maple Leafs’ Patience Paying Off With Simon Edvinsson’s Trade Request

With the season in full swing there are still a number of players that have quite a few question marks surrounding them. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t played a game due to not reporting to camp and Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin’s situation is getting more tense. Now, the Red Wings have to deal with another issue regarding one of their young defenders in Simon Edvinsson.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during Saturday Headlines on Saturday Night Hockey that Edvinsson prefers a trade instead of signing an extension. Edvinsson is a restricted free agent and a new deal doesn’t appear to be close. Which is why this should be music to Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka’s ears. 

Maple Leafs Patience Paying Off?

Already making headlines with the Kirill Marchenko trade, you would think that the Maple Leafs would be done trying to improve their roster. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case. 

TSN’s Chris Johnston reported after the trade that the team is being “patiently aggressive”. 

“The Leafs feel even after giving up Matthew Knies, who they viewed as their best young trade chip, that they still have other futures that they can move for ‘help now’ solutions,” Johnston said on Insider Trading. “That includes the first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche and some young prospects. I think they’ll be looking to upgrade even in these early days of the season.

“One area to keep an eye on is their defence,” Johnston added. “They did have to include Emil Andrae in a reworked version of that Knies-Marchenko trade. So, they do have perhaps an opening there for another addition at some point here in the future.” 

The patience may have paid off as the opportunity to still be aggressive on the trade market is presenting itself. With Edvinsson’s future with the Red Wings in jeopardy, Chayka can easily swoop in and try to land him through a trade and sign him, like they did with Marchenko. Chayka could offer sheet him, but runs the risk of the Red Wings matching it and not getting him at all. Plus, the Maple Leafs may not have the picks necessary to give up in compensation if the Red Wings decline to match it if the contract is high. 

The first-round pick they got in the Nicolas Roy trade from the Colorado Avalanche is very much in play. Ben Danford also feels like a piece that would be included and maybe another prospect. Maybe another roster player being involved seems likely. Either way, it would be a good price to pay for Edvinsson as he has limitless upside and potential. 

Edvinsson Has What Maple Leafs Need 

Edvinsson is just scratching the surface as a player. The sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has 60 points in 175 games, but the offensive tools, frame and mobility are what makes him a highly sought after player. 

Needless to say, with the addition of Darren Raddysh, the Maple Leafs want to be more mobile. Well, Edvinsson has exactly what the team needs and is definitely an ideal target to improve the blueline. He can instantly be inserted as a second pairing option, but that would also push other players out.  

Edvinsson is extremely mobile and is a great skater but can bring a lot of other qualities to the table. He has a powerful shot, he’s big (6-foot-6, 222 pounds) and can play the body and defend rushes very well. He’s the prototypical, two-way mobile defenseman that can rush and get pucks on net. 

Like the Marchenko trade, when a player of this calibre is available, you have to take that chance. Whether Chayka, goes down this route or not, he’s the player that fits on how he’s building this team. 

With assets still at his disposal, Chayka should capitalize on this report.