The Toronto Maple Leafs missed an opportunity to acquire a seasoned veteran when Lars Eller was traded from Pittsburgh to Washington in exchange for two draft picks.
As Toronto looks for assistance at center, they have several alternatives. If Brad Treliving was in need of grit, Yanni Gourde would be a viable option. For a younger player, Trent Frederic could be considered. However, what the team really required was an experienced center with a proven track record of success.
Toronto should have set its sights on trading for Lars Eller. A 16-year veteran and Stanley Cup champion with over 400 points and 1,000 NHL games under his belt, Eller could have provided significant value to the team at a relatively low cost. Unfortunately, Treliving overlooked this chance, as Kyle Dubas sent Eller back to the Washington Capitals (the team where he previously won a Stanley Cup) for two draft picks, as Pittsburgh aims to regain assets wherever possible.
With Eller no longer in the mix, who else might Brad Treliving and the Leafs consider? Three players stand out: Yanni Gourde, Trent Frederic, and a surprising option from one of their biggest rivals. Who is Yanni Gourde? Gourde, who played for Tampa Bay before joining Seattle in 2021, has had a strong NHL career to date. He has accumulated 319 career points, including a personal best of 25 goals and 64 points during the 2017-18 season—impressive numbers for a player often utilized in the bottom six.
Gourde would be an ideal match for Craig Berube’s system. While he may not be the biggest player, he definitely embodies grit, heart, and toughness—qualities that Berube values and seeks in his players. Additionally, there have been rumors that he is on the trade block in Seattle.
Positioning Gourde between Max Domi and Nick Robertson could form a scrappy, fast, and potentially daunting offensive line for opposing teams. The playmaking skills of both Domi and Gourde could also help Robertson shake off his goal-scoring drought. While Gourde’s $5.1 million salary is on the higher side, it could be worthwhile if Toronto can send out players like David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok and secure some salary retention on Gourde’s contract.
As for Trent Frederic, he’s a big player at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, and his speed is impressive. However, he has struggled this season with Boston, recording only three points in 16 games on a team that has been performing poorly overall. Despite these challenges, Frederic has significant potential. Throughout his career, he has scored 48 goals and registered 97 points, with last season being his best yet, where he tallied 40 points in just 13:45 of ice time.
Inserting Frederic into the lineup addresses several challenges for the team. If Berube wishes to keep a line of larger players intact, he could pair him with Bobby McMann and Max Domi, combining skill with size. Alternatively, he could take David Kampf’s place to enhance the fourth line and boost its production.
Frederic is less expensive than Gourde and is also much younger, at just 26 years old. His $ 2.3M cap hit should not pose a significant issue for the Maple Leafs, especially if they can manage their budget through LTIR, other trades, and waiver assignments.
This is where things get intriguing. Dvorak plays for the Montreal Canadiens, the biggest rival of Toronto. It might seem odd to have him on the roster, but Max Pacioretty adjusted well before his injury (which, coincidentally, occurred during a game against Montreal). Dvorak is a nine-year NHL veteran who previously played for Arizona and has quietly been one of the Canadiens’ unsung heroes. With 223 points in 468 games and a career faceoff percentage of 52.3%, Dvorak would be a valuable asset for Toronto.
He fits all the criteria that Treliving and Berube are looking for: he’s big, tough, gritty, plays hard, excels in faceoffs, effectively kills penalties, scores when necessary, and never gives up on a play. Unfortunately, he’s caught on a struggling Montreal team with no clear path to improvement, although he has managed to collect 7 points in 16 games. While he’s not inexpensive, and Toronto isn’t rushed to make a trade with a heated rival, Dvorak is at a standstill in Montreal. There are rumors that he could be on the move, and a change of scenery could benefit him. He hasn’t experienced success yet, and joining Toronto would offer him a better chance to thrive. It seems Brad Treliving and Kent Hughes should have a discussion.
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