28 Nov 2017 20:26:43
Ian Cole and a 2017 3rd Round Pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Tyler Bozak, Nikita Soshnikov and Curtis McElheinney.

- Pittsburgh needs depth scoring. Bozak is a third line centre who can move up as needed. He provides better insurance than any of Carter Rowney, Riley Sheahan and Greg McKegg.
- Nikita Soshnikov can play on a third/ fourth line and be an energy guy. Can be a decent depth scorer, imo, capable of 20ish points in an NHL job.
- McElheinney provides insurance as a veteran backup for Matt Murray (Pittsburgh doesn't have one), and also provides a net presence due to Pittsburgh's sudden need of a goalie (Matt Murray/ Jakub Voracek last night)

- Toronto acquires a rugged dman who can play top 4 minutes. Playing alongside Jake Gardiner could help Gardiner, as did Hainsey with Rielly. This allows Zaitsev to move to the third pairing, and finally allows Toronto to have three capable NHL defensive pairings. Plus, Bozak can be replaced with Marleau at centre, and Marleau's wing spot can be taken by Leivo. Kapanen can also be in the call-up spot instead of Sosh, as Sosh would be gone. McElheinney, although he is a well-liked guy, just seems to be outmatched by guys like Sparks or Calvin Pickard, both capable NHL backups and very good AHLers.

Imo fills both teams needs. Forward and goalie depth for Pittsburgh. Defensive depth for Toronto.

1.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 00:03:22
Are you drunk? The pens want him out so the trade value automatically declines when a team is shopping a player so you don't package up a deal. Also cole is a left handed d man which I agree is an upgrade to borgman but borgman is also still learning. So you don't package up a centre a young player and a pick for a guy that's not even what you need just a slight increase to what you have.

I'd rather see the leafs package up bozak a prospect and picks together for a younger d man.

2.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 00:04:26
Also as marleau CAN play centre babs doesn't want him as a permanent choice down the middle.

3.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 02:59:14
I like the idea of acquiring Cole but your scenario is a bit too gratuitous for a player who's averaging 17 minutes and has been a healthy scratch lately. Bozak alone should be enough.

4.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 08:57:37
Make the trade, open a spot for Kapannen finally. Than trade Leivo + 3rd for Jarnkrok of Nashville.

Opens a spot for Johanssen from the Marlies.

Resolves the 3rd Center position for the next few years.

5.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 11:46:28
Cole has been healthy scratched the last 3 games.

Bozak is a solid third line centre and in a pinch can play 2nd line centre.

Soshnikov has not been able to crack the Leafs full time because they are incredibly deep on the wing and he can be sent to the Marlies without having to clear waivers. He has been effective wherever he has played and projects to be a serviceable third line winger, capable of playing a checking role and killing penalties with additional scoring touch.

And the Leafs will just throw in their backup tendy for good measure? I'm sorry I didn't know the Leafs owed the Penguins something (especially after retaining on the Kessel deal) .

For Cole.

It's like you've never watched hockey.

6.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 16:53:43
Why would the Leafs make this trade at any price never mind the ludicrous price that you mentioned above. Have you ever seen Cole play, the guy sucks and he is not better than Borgman, maybe at the start of the season, but our Cyborg has improved enough already to surpass Cole, it doesn't take much, plus Cyborg is only 22. Let me put it this way never going to happen.

7.) 30 Nov 2017
30 Nov 2017 16:07:35
Way too much from Leafs here, Bozak gets Cole and then some. Not the other way around.