With rumors circulating about the availability of Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf, there has been plenty of speculation regarding where he might wind up. One of those rumors has him heading to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
There is no doubt that that Ryan Getlaf would help bolster any team that acquires his services. However, his asking price is expected to be sky-high.
The Ducks would likely be looking for a young roster player and two prospects as well as a draft pick to get a deal done. From the Maple Leafs that could include a package of Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie from the current roster, and one of Joe Colborne or Jessie Blacker from the Marlies and a first round pick.
The Maple Leafs are currently one of the youngest teams in the league and are finally starting to show signs of a promising hockey club. Coming into the season the goal for the Leafs was to make the playoffs. They have a legitimate chance at earning a playoff berth as they currently sit 8th in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of 9th place Washington. In addition, the Leafs have finally accumulated a solid group of young talent that include: Keith Aulie, Jessie Blacker, Joe Colborne, Jake Gardner, Nazem Kadri and Luke Schenn – a position they haven’t been in since the mid 80’s when they had promising youngsters, Wendel Clark, Russ Courtnall, Vicent Damphousse , Al Iafrate, Gary Leeman, and Steve Thomas.
Trading for Ryan Getzlaf would likely help the Leafs make the playoffs, and perhaps make some noise in the playoffs depending on who they matched up with. However, as they are currently built, they would still have a difficult time against physical teams such as the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, or Philadelphia Flyers.
A player of Getzlaf’s ilk is the type of move that a contending team should make that is already close to doing some damage in the playoffs and who could use that extra push (ala The Washington Capitals).
It is important for the Leafs to make the playoffs this year and it would be an invaluable experience for the players and great for the city to have playoff hockey in Toronto for the first time since 2004. At the same time, making the playoffs this year should not be done by sacrificing their future for a round or two of playoff hockey. The Leafs will be better served to hold onto their young prospects and keep building towards the future. Ryan Getzlaf could make the Leafs a dangerous team, but unless further additions are made the Leafs are only contenders to make the playoffs at the point.
Your Thoughts: Should the Leafs acquire Ryan Getzlaf?
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