The chance to acquire Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov is something the Toronto Maple Leafs simply can’t ignore.
News that broke on Friday about Nikita Kucherov’s alleged trade request has created quite a stir in the NHL. It has also opened up opportunities for many teams to take a serious shot at him.
While John Chayka hit a home run with Kirill Marchenko earlier this season, why couldn’t he aim even higher by bringing in Kucherov?
The main issue here is Kucherov’s contract. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and Tampa Bay’s tight budget could be pushing their all-time leading scorer to seek a trade.
Since Kucherov will probably want to join a contender, Toronto might look appealing to him.
This all hinges on whether the Maple Leafs truly see themselves as contenders. But with a revitalized Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Marchenko, and first-overall pick Gavin Mc Kenna, wouldn’t adding Kucherov be the icing on the cake?
This might seem like an idealistic take on things. However, there are solid reasons why bringing Kucherov into Toronto could make sense.
Kucherov Would Reunite with Darren Raddysh in Toronto
Darren Raddysh had a breakout season last year largely thanks to his connection with Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov contributed assists for most of Raddysh’s 20 goals. Critics of Raddysh’s arrival in Toronto pointed out that moving away from Kucherov was one of his biggest challenges.
But what if Chayka could bring Raddysh’s top partner over to the Maple Leafs? Could reuniting Raddysh and Kucherov in Toronto turn the team into a powerhouse?
That’s definitely something worth considering.
There’s another interesting angle too. The Maple Leafs already have a prominent Russian player in Sergei Bobrovsky. Could teaming up with another Russian star help boost Toronto’s chances of landing Kucherov?
This scenario builds a strong case for Chayka to persuade Kucherov’s camp that joining the Maple Leafs is beneficial. It’s important to note that the Lightning forward has a 10-team no-trade clause. If Toronto isn’t on that list, then making this deal could be possible.
Maple Leafs Have Hurdles in Acquiring Kucherov
<p Of course, there are some hurdles we need to keep track of.
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First off , we need to think about how much it will cost to get him. Kuchar ov won ‘t come cheap. While the Leafs have some enticing assets they could offer Tampa , it ‘s hard to say if it would be enough. p >
One name that’s likely going t o come up is Easton Cowan. If Cowan isn ‘t available , then the Maple Leaf s might have t o dig deeper into their prospect pool. p >
Another factor is what kind of contract will be needed for Kuch aro v. His new deal will definitely raise questions. Assuming he aims for something around $15 million AAV , fitting him under th e cap will b e tricky for th e Maple L ea fs. p >
It isn’t just about money. The M ap le Leaf s can afford t o pay Kuch aro v. The real challenge lies within th e cap space available. p >
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Maybe Ch ay ka can figure out how t o fit Kuch aro v into this season ’ s plan and work towards figuring out how t o manage his salary while keeping most of their core intact. p ><
Whatever happens , this is going t o be an intriguing situation especially since th e Leaf s want t o stay competitive in this conversation.
This article was originally on HEAVY p >
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