The Toronto Maple Leafs have focused on strengthening their defense this offseason, and it appears they may not be finished yet. They recently added Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to their blue line, and according to NHL insider Steve Simmons from The Toronto Sun, the team has expressed interest in trading for Jacob Trouba.
Trouba was recently traded from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks, but rumors suggest he could be moved again to a contender. Simmons indicated that the Maple Leafs are keen on him, writing, “Leafs management likes big defenceman Jacob Trouba, the recently traded Rangers captain. And they might have some interest in Trouba, if Anaheim or somebody else eats a lot of salary, at the deadline. Odds are, the Leafs, with limited cap room, will look to add a forward of prominence in March.”
Currently in the sixth year of his seven-year, 56millioncontract,Troubaisowed 8 million over the final two years. If the Ducks retain half of his salary, Trouba could fit into Toronto’s cap at $ 4 million. He would provide the Maple Leafs with a strong defensive presence and add physicality to the lineup. However, acquiring him — especially with Anaheim retaining 50% of his salary — would likely come at a significant cost.
In other news, Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe is currently sidelined due to injury. McCabe, known for his physical and shutdown style of play similar to Trouba’s, has been placed on IR after taking a puck to the head. Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews commented on the situation: “He’s a heart and soul guy on our team. Fortunately, we saw him in the locker room and he’s doing alright so I think good news coming out from that aspect.” McCabe has played 23 games this season, recording no goals and six assists. He signed a five-year, $ 22.57 million extension with the Maple Leafs in October that will begin next season.
Meanwhile, the Ducks are enthusiastic about acquiring Trouba from the Rangers in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek expressed his excitement about adding Trouba, saying, “When a player of this caliber comes available, I wanted to help our team, and I think he improves our team… he’s a really good penalty killer. I think he’s got some underrated offensive skills that probably haven’t shown in the last year or so… I want us to be really tough to play against, and he certainly adds that element to our group.”
Trouba himself is looking forward to the move, stating, “Anaheim was one of the places my wife and I were interested in. Just everything about it. Where the team’s at, I think they have a great opportunity in the next couple of years.”
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