Insider: Maple Leafs Had Interest in Trading for $18M Power Forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the teams that were interested in trading for Mason Marchment, according to one NHL insider.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that Toronto was interested in a reunion with Marchment. The Dallas Stars traded Marchment to the Seattle Kraken for two draft picks in a pure cap dump.
According to Friedman, the Maple Leafs did explore trade talks for Marchment, but Dallas ended up dealing him to Seattle.
“The Maple Leafs wanted Mason Marchment, and were disappointed not to get him,” Friedman wrote. “Toronto wild-card: to replace Marner, could they move a defenceman to get a forward?… The Marchment trade is not the last we’ve heard of Seattle. Definitely active.”
Marchment is entering the final year of his four-year, $18 million deal. The 6-foot-5, 212-pound forward is one of the better power forwards in the NHL, as he plays physical but can also score.
With the Stars last season, Marchment recorded 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points in 62 games. In the playoffs, he added 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 18 games. Marchment played for the Maple Leafs for 4 games in 2019-20.
Kraken Eager to Land Marchment
Marchment is a solid middle-six forward, and the Kraken were one of several teams interested in him.
The star forward was sought after, but Dallas opted to move him to Seattle, and the Kraken were thrilled to land him.
“I think Mason has a unique combination of size, skill and strength,” Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said. “He works well down in the corners and around the net… He’s been in three conference finals in a row. He knows the intensity of playoff hockey.
Marchment knows how to play playoff hockey with his size and physicality, while he can also score, which is why the Maple Leafs were interested in him.
Marchment signed with the Maple Leafs as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He ended up being traded to the Florida Panthers for Dennis Malgin.
Maple Leafs Looking to Add Playoff Players
Toronto had another playoff disappointment, and the Maple Leafs are looking to add talent to the roster.
Toronto struggled against the Panthers, and Maple Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving says the team is looking to add players who know how to perform in the playoffs.
“You have to embrace it with all the challenges that are in front of you: good opponent, the stage, what’s at stake,” Treliving said. “You got to find a way to embrace that moment and ultimately succeed in it. The margins are really thin. And when I say that, I don’t believe you have to go and change 20 players, it’s not always about that. It’s what can we do to help our guys, what can we do to find guys that can help.”
