One of the key elements the Toronto Maple Leafs desperately lack is a number one centerman to get the puck to sniper Phil Kessel. Since they had no high draft picks this year, and none next year either, trying to develop a centerman through the daft isn't the short term solution for the Leafs. Therefore their only options are through trade or free agency. Unfortunately for Toronto, there aren't any legitimate first line centermen available through agency, therefore if the Leafs want a quality pivot, they'll have to trade for one.
The Boston Bruins can Afford to Unload a Center
Ironically, the Bruins were the team the Maple Leafs mortgaged their future with to in order to obtain Phil Kessel, a talented but small perimeter sniper, not well liked in the Boston dressing room. Now, Boston might once again have what the Maple Leafs want, a number one center. After the Bruins used Toronto's draft pick to select center Tyler Seguin, they now find themselves with a logjam at the center position. They have Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron and David Krecji, all with the ability to center a top line. Therefore, one of those three is expendable, and the logical choice is 32-year-old Marc Savard. For a player with his talent, a $4 million salary per year is a bargain, and not too much for the Leafs to take on. But does Savard's injury history make him a risky deal?
The Leafs Would be Taking a Risk if they Trade for Savard
Phil Kessel had great chemistry with Marc Savard while in Boston, and Savard has shown flashes of brilliance in this NHL career. But after suffering a devastating concussion last season, there is fear he will not be the same player, and at risk for suffering more head injuries. The Bruins are rumored to want Tomas Kaberle in a deal, a player Toronto GM Brian Burke is being very picky about giving away. Kaberle is the only trade bait the Leafs have, and Burke wants to milk everything he can out of the Czech defenseman. If Toronto does give up a lot to obtain Savard, there is obviously a risk in the deal. He's over 30, and has 7 years left on his deal. With his injury history, Toronto might be taking on a player who won't be able to perform much longer. There is risk in any trade, as Toronto learned from the Kessel deal, but Burke might want to hold off on a Savard deal until he weighs out all his options. Because the last thing Leaf fans want to see is their team providing division rival Boston with more valuable assets.
Other NHL Free Agent Notes
The New York Rangers are reportedly far apart on a deal with RFA Marc Staal. Staal is one of the better young defenseman on the Rangers squad, and they are desperately trying to iron out a new contract. The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired the negotiating rights to UFA Dan Hamhuis after the Flyers were unable to sign him. There is no guarantee the Penguins will be able to sign the defenseman who is rumored to want to remain the Western Conference, but if they can cut a deal he will be a huge help to a weak Penguin blueline. The possible signing of Hamhuis might also spell the end of the Sergei Gonchar era in Pittsburgh. The 35 year old offensive defenseman is reportedly looking for a long term deal the Penguins are unwilling to offer. The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars to help their goaltending woes, asking for permission to speak to pending free agent netminders Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco.
Marcia Di Michele - In addition to Suite101, Marcy is also a writer for TheHockeyWriters.com and blogs for Sports Illustrated's Fannation page. Marcy has been ...
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