Maple Leafs interested in top-6 winger from Nashville

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to trade for a top-six winger in the near future or at the trade deadline, and there is interest in a player from the Nashville Predators. Mikael Granlund is generating lots of trade interest from the Leafs, and he has been traded near the deadline before, when he was traded by the Minnesota Wild to the Preds for Kevin Fiala.

If the Predators' struggles continue, the Finnish winger will likely become available on the trade market. The numbers would likely workout, since Granlund signed a 1-year, $3.75 million contract last offseason.

The Leafs have been bombarded with injuries thus far, and they have around $2 million in cap space to work with. Toronto could move a cheap contract, or maybe the Preds would be willing to retain half of Granlund's salary to make a deal work.

Last week, Elliotte Friedman stated in a comment that the Leafs were almost guaranteed to add a winger at the trade deadline, and Granlund is believed to be the top candidate for the leafs. Granlund could play in the top-six with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner or John Tavares and William Nylander, which, in theory, would help the 28-year-old bounce back to his old form.

Even though Granlund's numbers have declined, he has shown that he has the ability to be a strong complementary player with high-end hockey sense and adept playmaking ability.

Toronto signed cheaper options including Wayne Simmonds, Joe Thornton, Jimmy Vesey and Travis Boyd, hoping that these veterans could prove worthy, but it seems they still need some help. Especially since Jimmy Vesey has struggled immensely so far in his Maple Leafs career.

Source: The Athletic

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks New Jersey Devils Star Timo Meier Likely to Face Suspension for Vicious Cross Check to the Face

13 hours ago  |  By Tyler Ball Beloved TNT Analyst Paul Bissonnette Hospitalized After Horrible and Violent Crime: Six Arrested

16 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Canadian Team Reportedly Desperate to Make Massive Trade for a Top Defenseman

19 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Metropolitan Team Acquires Young First-Round Pick From the Nashville Predators

19 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Former Sharks Defenseman Doug Murray Shares Incredible Story About Joe Thornton's Generosity

20 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Shocking Turn of Events in New York: Former 50-Goal Scorer Placed on the Trade Block

21 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Longtime NHL Referee Mike Hasenfratz Tragically Passes Away at the Age of 58

22 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch NHL Hopeful Colin Brown Critically Injured in St. Louis Shooting: Community Rallies

MORE STORIES