Trade Pitch Has Maple Leafs Adding $17 Million Defenseman in Multi-Player Deal

he Toronto Maple Leafs have focused on defense and goaltending in the offseason and a trade pitch adds another defenseman to the fold.

The website PuckPedia‘s PuckGM tool lets users create their own trades. One user proposed a deal that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Jake Middleton from the Minnesota Wild.

The proposed deal sees the Maple Leafs acquire the best player in the deal in Middleton, but give up Robertson and a former first-round pick in Liljegren as well as a draft pick.

Middleton is entering the final year of his three-year $7.35 million deal. But, he already has signed a four-year extension through the 2028-29 season worth $17.4 million. Middleton is 28  and could be a second-pairing defenseman for the Maple Leafs as he would bolster their blue line even more.

Middleton recorded 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 80 games. In his NHL career, he’s skated in 239 games recording 14 goals and 43 assists for 57 points.

In the return, the Wild would acquire Robertson who is an RFA and has requested a trade from the Maple Leafs. Robertson hasn’t been given a major role in Toronto that he wants, but in Minnesota could be a middle-six forward. He’s skated in 56 games recording 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points.

Liljegren, meanwhile, could replace Middleton on the back end and add some youth as he’s just 25 to Minnesota’s lineup. Liljegren was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL draft and has skated in 196 games recording 14 goals and 51 assists for 65 points.

Maple Leafs GM Open to More Moves

eman Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and goalie Anthony Stolarz.

Since then, the Maple Leafs have been quiet. But, ahead of training camps opening, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has hinted at the team making more moves.