{"id":1207,"date":"2023-02-28T19:35:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T19:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/?p=1207"},"modified":"2023-02-28T19:35:22","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T19:35:22","slug":"random-thoughts-maple-leafs-mccabe-lafferty-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/28\/random-thoughts-maple-leafs-mccabe-lafferty-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts Maple Leafs’ McCabe & Lafferty Trade: Kerfoot Gone?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over the past two weeks, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager Kyle Dubas has made two trades. Both these trades have been lauded in many circles as helping his team in the short term as they seek postseason success. As Toronto fans know, playoff success has eluded the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, the team has brought in three forwards and a defenseman. Two of the forwards are Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues. Yesterday, Dubas brought in another forward – Sam Lafferty – from the Chicago Blackhawks. Also in the trade with the Blackhawks, the team brought in defenseman Jake McCabe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: MAPLE LEAFS GET THEIR DEFENSEMAN IN TRADE FOR JAKE MCCABE +<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are the Deals All Done Now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One question that remains is whether the Maple Lears are finished dealing. Will the team need to make additional moves to stay under the salary cap? Or, will the team choose not to activate Matt Murray from the long-term injury reserve (LTIR)? As always for this organization (and they are not alone here), managing the salary cap has been a delicate balancing act. It remains to be seen how the Maple Leafs will navigate this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Matt Murray, Maple Leafs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It isn’t as if the organization isn’t aware of the issues. They deal with it every day. It’s also a constant source of questions for the team’s leadership. Toward that end, general manager Kyle Dubas held a press conference to address the issues. Although I won’t speak about what he said per se, because most Maple Leafs’ fans have heard it, I will share three random thoughts about his conversation with the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Random Thought One:\u00a0The Trade Addresses Areas of Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Maple Leafs have been looking to bolster their blue line for some time. I agree that the addition of Jake McCabe is a step in that direction. McCabe is a physical defenseman who many refer to as Jake Muzzin’s “lite.” He can play a shutdown role as well as bring some much-needed grit to the team’s defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also worth noting that the Maple Leafs have been seeking more versatility up front. That’s where Sam Lafferty fits. Lafferty’s a forward who can play center or wing. He also brings some size and physicality to the team’s bottom-six forwards. [As a note, all three forwards brought into the team are natural centers. Hmmm? Does that mean that the Maple Leafs will be saying farewell to Alex Kerfoot?]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maple Leafs’ decision to pursue McCabe and Lafferty shows their focus on addressing team weaknesses and improving overall team depth. With the NHL trade deadline approaching in less than a week, it will be interesting to see if they make any further moves to strengthen their roster for a deep playoff run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubas says his Chicago trade was in the works before Boston made its big deal and was nearly over the finish line while Tampa acquired Tanner Jeannot last night. In order words, Dubas is saying this move was not reactionary.<\/p>— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 27, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>