Report - Maple Leafs Must Trade Someone to Sign Max Pacioretty

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a cap space crunch, and according to a recent report, the team must trade someone in order to sign forward Max Pacioretty. The team is currently over the salary cap limit, and with a number of key players still needing to be signed, something has to give.

The Maple Leafs have been linked to Pacioretty for some time now, but the team’s limited cap space has made it difficult to bring him on board. The 30-year-old forward is coming off a season in which he scored 32 goals and 64 points in 73 games for the Vegas Golden Knights, and his addition would undoubtedly strengthen the Maple Leafs’ lineup.

However, in order to make room for Pacioretty’s contract, the Maple Leafs will have to trade away one of their current players. The team has a number of expendable assets, including forwards Connor Brown and Andreas Johnsson, as well as defenseman Martin Marincin.

One potential trade scenario involves sending Brown to a team in need of a depth forward. Brown has been a serviceable player for the Maple Leafs, but with the emergence of younger players like Pierre Engvall and Jeremy Bracco, his role on the team has become less defined. The 26-year-old Brown has one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $2.8 million, making him an attractive target for teams looking to add depth without breaking the bank.

Another option is to trade Johnsson, who has also seen his role diminish with the rise of younger players. The 24-year-old forward has two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $3.4 million, and has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Maple Leafs. However, with the team’s depth at forward, it may be difficult to justify keeping him on the roster.

Finally, the team could look to move Marincin, who has been a healthy scratch for much of the season. The 27-year-old defenseman has one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $1.45 million, and while he has shown promise in spurts, he has struggled to consistently crack the lineup.

In any case, the Maple Leafs will have to make a move soon if they hope to sign Pacioretty. The team’s current cap situation is unsustainable, and with the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, time is of the essence. Whether it’s Brown, Johnsson, or Marincin who gets dealt, the Maple Leafs will need to make a tough decision in order to bring in the talented forward they covet.

The addition of Pacioretty would undoubtedly improve the team’s chances at success, but at what cost? The Maple Leafs will have to weigh the benefits of bringing him on board against the cost of giving up one of their current players. With the trade deadline looming, the team will need to make a decision soon, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see who will be the odd man out.