Canadian Team Linked To Veteran Blue Liner Scott Mayfield
Scott Mayfield is a very intriguing name on the trade market this season, and now the Toronto Maple Leafs are one team that could make a play at the veteran.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made some solid additions to their blue line this past summer, adding both Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who have both played key roles in their top four this season.
However, depth on the blue line is something that can never be taken for granted, and with the team building to a potentially deep Stanley Cup run this season, additions at the trade deadline make plenty of sense.
Now, we may know one of their top targets to fill a depth role, as Nick Kypreos has reported that the Maple Leafs may be interested in a player like New York's Scott Mayfield, and with the team struggling to keep up in the Eastern Conference playoff race, this is a deal that could make plenty of sense.
In 45 games this season, Mayfield has just 2 goals and 7 points, but on a team that ranks last in the Metropolitan Division, the 32-year-old has a highly impressive +13 differential.
With the Islanders potentially looking to move on from the likes of Brock Nelson at the trade deadline, it also makes sense to listen on other veterans, and while Nelson is a pending free agent, Mayfield is not.
The former second-round draft pick has another five years left on his current deal beyond 2024/25, but with a very reasonable $3.5 million cap hit over that time, he could be a solid bottom-four blue liner in the NHL throughout that contract.
Ultimately, it would be wise for Toronto to explore the defensive market, and if they can put together a cheap package to land Mayfield, it could be a major upgrade that helps them down the stretch of this and every season moving forward.
MUST READ
