Maple Leafs force the hand of another Eastern contender

Over the weekend, Toronto Maple Leafs got people thinking that they might finally get over the first round of this postseason. Toronto acquired St. Louis Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly and forward Noel Acciari in a blockbuster three-team trade also involving the Minnesota Wild on Friday night.

The move not only provided the Maple Leafs with the added arsenal up front, it also sent a message to rival teams ahead of the trade deadline. And according to insider Frank Seravalli, the blockbuster trade will push the Tampa Bay Lightning to make some moves of its own. The insider believes both team are on a collision course again for a first round clash.

“After the O’Reilly trade, I’ve tried to think like Julien BriseBois to see how Bolts might respond before deadline.”

Seravalli believes the Bolts will seek a depth defenseman ahead of March 3rd with the penalty kill being a significant concern in Tampa. The team will look to unload some of Victor Hedman’s responsibilities and seek “to acquire a defenseman who can add to their depth, aid the penalty kill and provide a physical presence.”

There is also a sense that the Lightning will examine the market for forward depth for added speed. Seravalli points to targets in Chicago Blackhawks’ Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty, Garnet Hathaway of the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks’ Noah Gregor, Nashville Predators’ Tanner Jeannot or Will Borgen of the Seattle Kraken.

However, Tampa Bay might need to make available and even part with the 2025 first round pick or even young goalie Hugo Alnefelt. Forwards Issac Howard and Jack Finley might also be in play.

Seravalli thinks the Lightning is feeling the pressure and we can understand how the Maple Leafs might have put the heat on their potential first round opponent or any contender ahead of the trade deadline…

Recommended articles:

Maple Leafs force the hand of another Eastern contender

Newsletter