Petes2424
Registered User
- Aug 4, 2005
- 8,094
- 2,412
Feeling a bit like the Matt Murray speculation...
The big target (come the draft) is gonna be Shea Theodore. The problem for the Leafs is, Vegas will likely be looking for futures and/or prospects to replace what they gave up at the deadline. On a good note however, Theodore will have a say where he goes, because the team acquiring him, is not going to do so without giving him the big extension. So there’s a good possibility the Leafs would be a team he’d have lots of interest in.
It makes all the sense in the world, that Theodore is who Vegas moves this summer. Only has a 5 team NTC, and one year left at $5.2 million. The chance they’ll be able to hand him the big extension, took a major hit when they extended Hanifin. Couple that with Pietrangelo being almost impossible to trade, meaning they wouldn’t get anything in return, Theodore is the one rostered player they can cash-in on, by trading this summer. Especially knowing him re-signing, probably isn’t in the cards after next season.
Between now and draft day, we’ll start seeing Theodore’s name being thrown around everywhere. Especially with the way Hanifin played in the Dallas series. Also, don’t be surprised if Vegas not only trades Theodore, but also Hague or Whitecloud, and then signs Tanev.
The Leafs desperately need that 2nd dman to carry a pairing 20+ minutes a night, in the playoffs. It bites them year after year. Shea Theodore can provide that. Not very many others, who could end up available, provide anything other than being another role player. That doesn’t win playoff rounds. Dmen who can carry pairings do, and you’re never gonna do it with just one of them, as the Leafs continue to prove every April.