The idea of the Leafs trading their fourth overall selection to move down in the first round and grab a few more assets along the way has been gaining a little more traction over the last few days. It’s mostly due to what looks like the expansion of that group just outside Eichel and McDavid to now include names like Barzal and Provorov (on top of the usual suspects in Marner, Strome, and Hanifin).
As the draft approaches, and rankings appear to get tighter, trying to pinpoint teams’ preferences is what will come to the forefront. For a team like the Leafs, where “drafting for need” means “drafting everything”, this could open up the doors for a trade from a lower-picking team trying to make a big splash for a player they really like.
Kyle Dubas wouldn’t rule out this sort of move, and actually indicated to The Star that the team might give it some serious thought over the next couple of weeks.
“It’s something we would definitely look at…If someone else was adamant about a player, we’re pretty comfortable with the players in that cluster…We need to be acquiring as many draft pick assets as we can, as many prospects as we can. If there was something that made sense, we’d be open to listening and having some thorough discussions on the fourth pick.”
This falls in line with what’s been a growing sense that Hunter and Dubas might want to “Belichick” this draft, or load up on picks by moving down a number of times if they feel they have an edge on teams by finding more value further down the order. And to be fair, if there are two people capable of doing it, they’re the ones to trust.
One intriguing target might be the Flyers at seventh overall. While a lower pick and later-round selection might not be enough to move the needle for the Leafs, Philadelphia holds the Lightning’s 29th or 30th pick (depending on the outcome of the Cup final) on top of that seventh slot. Toronto could move down and still nab a player like Barzal, Provorov, even Zacha, then have two picks later in the round to do more damage.
This is definitely something to keep an eye on as we get closer to June 26th. It feels like it would be a risky move, given the optics of moving down from the highest pick the team has had in about a quarter-century, but this front office seems anything but safe or predictable, so we’ll see.
By the way, admit it, the Crouse photo up top scared you a little.
I admit it, the Crouse the photo up top scared me a little.
*uses incorrect grammar*
instantly loses all credibility.
In all seriousness though, with a lot of rankings dropping him lower leading up the draft, I’d be fine with Leafs grabbing him at 24.
All this draft day trades speculation is forcing me to increase my medicinal alcohol intake.
They are open to trading down because Mark Hunter believes there isn’t a gap in talent between Strome/Marner/Hanifin and Barzal/Provorov. Plus Hunter is a really big fan of Barzal.
Will say that while I can respect the reasoning…please don’t do it!
We sucked hard to get to this point. Could easily walk away with the 3rd best player in the draft at 4 depending on how things turn out. Quantity is a good thing to have, but so is quality. Take that 4th overall pick and pick someone.
You have core guys to trade and a 24th overall pick you can play around with to add more picks. Just stay put with #4.
Zacha? No, Zacha no!!! He is lazy by training excersises and usually unpunctual for team appointment. If you speak czech … http://hokej.idnes.cz/hokej-reprezentace-do-dvaceti-let-lukas-klok-pavel-zacha-vaclav-karabacek-prerost-ggg-/reprezentace.aspx?c=A150106_101817_reprezentace_cig