Making a case for Taylor hall and Mitch Marner swap if toronto can’t come to terms with Mitch on a contract
Written by : Brent Logan https://writers.work/brentwoodwrites & BrentWoodWrites.com
I know this seems like a pretty crazy deal but... when you look at it, it would actually benefit both teams quite well! First the case for Toronto. I believe it’s a bigggggg risk in doing these franchise risking trades. But look at what Masai did with the raps. He took his franchise/fan favorite player in Demar Derozan and swapped him for Kawai Leonard. And we all know how that ended up going down. I think trading Mitch is a huge risk for a number of reasons.
First, his personality is infectious, and he brings so many positives to the team.
Second, he’s an absolute work horse of a player and was our points leader with almost 100 in his 3rd season.
And lastly he’s our fan favorite, (I’d say) Hometown boy and a good guy but, he knows what he’s worth.
One thing that isn’t the greatest is that he’s a RW. Now this is why Mitch for Taylor actually makes sense. Right now when you look at the top 6 it looks something like this...
Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander/Kappy
I’ve written another article before stating I would entertain moving Kapanen to get that coveted right shot D that we so desperately need. Because right now with Marner, Kapanen and Nylander on RW Kapanen is a luxury we don’t need on the 3rd line. But I’m very happy we just signed him for 3 years. The Kadri and Zaitsev trades also took care of the RD issue for this year. Picking up Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci will fill in the hole in the top 4 nicely. So now, with the swap of Taylor Hall (who is a LW) for Mitch Marner, this top 6 looks more attractive and makes more sense. Now there's not that temptation to trade him for a star defenseman. And I know Babs loves Hyman and I like him too, he’s a great support player on that top line and maybe it makes sense to spread out your stars throughout the lineup, but just look at how perfect this is...
Hall - Matthews - Nylander
Johnsson - Tavares - Kapanen
Or maybe you make a couple switches on RW and switch Matthews and Tavares. Either way it looks really good! And the bottom 6 could look like this...
Hyman - Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Moore - Petan/Goat/Spezza/Shore - Bracco/Korshkov
This is a lineup that I think not only could contend at a much more serious level, it also has some balance with a nice gritty bottom 6 and a skilled top 6. Kerfoot was a nice addition in the Kadri trade and should be able to fill in for Kadri on the 3rd line nicely. The signing of Spezza is also a nice welcome. I don't think any of us can really predict what will come with him in the lineup. Maybe he will be overused like Babs is notorious of doing. Or maybe he's going to fit in very nicely on the bottom 6 and on the 2nd pp unit. Either way this bottom 6 (on paper) looks a lot nicer and hopefully can let the top 6 flourish, adding some much needed secondary offense and grit.
That star studded top line is wayyyy to juicy not to try. The only problem I see with that line is being almost too offensively minded, but you’ll never know unless you try it right? I think with trading Marner for Hall opens up the cluster on RW and gives you a true top LWer to get creative and build some cool lines. Hall could probably be signed long term for less than what Mitch wants and you’re getting a similar (in skill) player back. Also he’s a more veteran presence for a good young team that needs the leadership of a guy like Hall. Not to mention hall is also an Ontario boy and would probably love the limelight of playing in Toronto.
New Jersey would love this trade for obvious reasons, Mitch is young and similar to what Hall brought to the Devils. I think you’d see him take a big step in his game because now he’s “The Guy”. Not being overshadowed by Matthews. They also have a very good young group and a centre who would definitely benefit with having the phenomenal playmaking of Mitch. It’s also good for them because they haven’t started talking with hall yet and I think they could sign Mitch very quickly. Plus, they have the money to give Mitch the price he deserves.
I obviously want to see Mitch suiting up for Toronto next season buuuuutttt, this would be a cool way to mix up the team and I think it takes you to the next level. Regardless I'm very excited to see this how this season unfolds. All that’s left to do is fire Babs and Dubas can become just like Masai 😉..... But in all seriousness I think this deal would be perfect for both teams and if things don’t work out with Mitch here in Toronto, I think this would be an amazing alternative. It would show everybody that Dubas isn’t afraid to do what he needs to win, which is exactly what Masai did. So now it’s all up to you Kyle... Let’s see what you got.
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Written by : Brent Logan https://writers.work/brentwoodwrites & BrentWoodWrites.com
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