Getty
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be able to secure a solid replacement for Chris Tanev through this proposed 1-for-1 trade.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a tough situation on defense. Losing their top shutdown defenseman, Chris Tanev, has pushed GM Brad Treliving into overdrive. His main priority is finding a reliable replacement for Tanev going forward.
However, locating such a player isn’t simple. The market is quite limited with only a few true elite shutdown defensemen available.
That said, there could be one viable option the Maple Leafs could pursue to fill the void left by Tanev. This option may be veteran defenseman Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks. Murphy is currently in the last year of his four-year contract that comes with a $4.4 million cap hit.
The Blackhawks have been trying to move Murphy in hopes of giving him an opportunity at a playoff run. While the Maple Leafs aren’t exactly seen as top contenders right now, they do provide Murphy with a chance at postseason play.
Here’s what this potential trade might look like:
Maple Leafs get:
Connor Murphy, D
Blackhawks get:
Matias Maccelli, F
This 1-for-1 deal lets the Maple Leafs clear some cap space while also bringing in a dependable presence on defense. Sure, Murphy isn’t the puck-moving type of defenseman they’ve been after, but there’s definitely a bigger need for someone who can defend reliably.
Plus, the Maple Leafs could find someone interested in Maccelli as well. He would likely be seen as a cap casualty since both contracts pretty much balance each other out.
If the Leafs put Tanev on LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve), it would simplify things even more. Toronto might be able to acquire Murphy for just some draft picks instead of having to give up another roster player.
Maple Leafs Awaiting News on Tanev
This entire trade idea hinges on what happens with Tanev’s health status. If he’s able to come back sometime this season, then the Maple Leafs will need to make room under the cap eventually. This is crucial when considering playoff eligibility regarding salary caps.
While they could take on Murphy while Tanev is on LTIR, activating him later for playoffs would complicate managing their roster within salary cap limits.
If the Maple Leafs opt to place Tanev on season-ending LTIR instead, they’d have enough cap space available to add someone like Connor Murphy without needing to lose Maccelli from their lineup.
Tension Around Tanev’s Situation
The Maple Leafs are basically holding their breath regarding Chris Tanev’s condition. The main delay revolves around whether he’ll decide to go through surgery for his groin injury sustained late last month. Should he proceed with surgery, he may not return until around mid-April at best.
But there’s no guarantee that will happen either; he could end up sidelined longer than expected or surgery might mean his season is done entirely. While it’s not an ideal situation, shutting down Tanev for the year would provide clarity that the Maple Leafs desperately need.
If no one steps up in his absence, they’ll continue searching for an appropriate substitute. What lies ahead regarding Tanev remains uncertain; more updates should emerge soon which will help guide GM Brad Treliving’s next moves.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis and insights. Originally from Toronto Canada Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on sports world overall Nestor’s fondness baseball and hockey set tone his love and passion writing about sports More about Nestor Quixtan
