MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Leafs Trade Ross, Pick for Marincin

Photo Credit: Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports

Amidst all the hype and speculation about who the Toronto Maple Leafs would trade away or draft, the team has thrown the masses a curveball, by actually acquiring some present talent. In a late morning shocker, the blue and white have sent Brad Ross and a 4th round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for Martin Marincin.

While many have been quick to point out that this officially ends the Brad Ross experiment in Toronto, his departure has been a foregone conclusion for weeks now. Ross recently signed a one-year deal with the Iserholn Roosters of the DEL with a player option for a second year. Combined with his banned substance suspension and his sluggish development, and it was very unlikely that the team was going to submit a qualifying offer to the 23 year old. As for the fourth round pick, the Leafs had already made six selections in the top 100, and likely felt confident enough in the players they selected to pick up a player who was a little further ahead of schedule.

Marincin is a very interesting pickup for the Leafs. While they aren’t in pressing need for more defencemen, there are plenty of names that could potentially be on the market in the coming weeks, and in Marincin, they get someone who can fill a spot. Also 23 years old, Marincin has put up positive relative possession numbers with the Oilers in both of his half-seasons with the team, despite being deployed in tough situations through all of this season.

Marincin’s skating ability is surprising for a player of his 6’4, 205 pound build. He’s very calm with the puck, and is able to use his instincts to move his team out of their own zone in a controlled manner. While he’s far from an offensive dynamo, his ability to move play into threatening areas makes him a great option to play with more skilled linemates. In an ideal situation, Marincin develops into a very good second pairing defenceman.

No word yet on whether this is the only roster move of the day for the team.

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