The Toronto Maple Leafs are missing another top-six winger. They have been linked to Mason Marchment in recent weeks, but now he is off the market. Late last night, just before the holiday schedule freezes, he was treated to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Related: Blue Jackets Land Mason Marchment in Trade with Kraken
After seeing the price tag for Marchment, who offers more than just offense, you really wonder why the Maple Leafs weren’t willing to pay the asking price. They are in desperate need of a shake-up to their squad after a dreadful start to the 33-match season. Now they are looking for other options on the open market.
Maple Leafs miss the march
Clearly, no one really knows why they didn’t try harder to acquire Marchment. It would have been too hard to make the money work. Or maybe the coaching staff and front office didn’t feel he was a good fit for the organization. However, it seems like it has something to do with freeing up space for the transaction to go through.
Based on the deal between the Blue Jackets and Kraken, there was no salary retention. That means the Maple Leafs should have taken it on Marchment’s $4.5 million contract. From now on they have that $3.9 million in cap spacebut that’s because Chris Tanev’s $4.5 million contract is on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). If he’s as close to a return as people think, there’s no point in using that money to sign Marchment and then having to figure out next steps in today’s game against the Nashville Predators. So Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving will now have to turn his attention to other players who could fit into the top six.
Available top-six forwards
Now that the Maple Leafs will have to look elsewhere, there are a few other options to fill the gap in their top six. Watching Nick Kypreos’ trade bait board 1.0Two of the better, cheaper options that could still make an impact are Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames and Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks. Both players fall more into the top-nine category and can move up and down the lineup, but in this case they could be deployed in a top-six role.
Related: Maple Leafs reportedly exploring trade market
Looking outside the cheaper range, there is a prime candidate in Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. This option is likely unrealistic given that Toronto and Buffalo do not normally trade with each other, but it would help fill the gap left by the departure of Mitch Marner last offseason.
Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs missed Marchment, who could have been a strong asset. Now Treliving and his professional scouting staff will have to focus on other forwards who can help this team offensively. However, nothing can happen until the freeze holiday schedule ends at 12:01 AM on December 28.
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