Rumor: Line up change from the Leafs leads to huge trade rumors.

Huge trade rumors surrounding the Maple Leafs.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Rumor: Line up change from the Leafs leads to huge trade rumors.
Keystone Press

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a change to their line up, and many believe their desire to make a trade may be the reason why the move was made.

As many Leaf fans will already know, young star forward Mitch Marner has been bumped down the line up, and head coach Mike Babcock did his best to attempt to brush the move off as no big deal for the Leafs or for Marner.

"Let’s not read too much into this," said Babcock as per Jonas Siegel. "Their line wasn’t going so tie goes to the veteran. Hows that?"

However the Toronto media is not buying what Babcock is selling. While most respect Babcock for protecting a young and talented player like Marner for criticism, many believe Marner is being made a scapegoat because the Leafs want to keep James van Riemsdyk on a top line to maintain his trade value.

From James Mirtle of The Athletic:

Also I couldn't move JVR down because... well... you know.

While some have speculated that the Leafs could look to hold on to van Riemsdyk for a potential playoff run, this move appears to have thrown cold water on that speculation, and it now looks like a trade is Toronto's primary focus.

[pub]



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