Trades: Maple Leafs Make Two Deals

Maple Leafs and Panthers Trade

Mason Marchment is one of many prospects the Maple Leafs have given an opportunity to this season. With the team suffering so many injuries this year a lot of players like Marchment were finally getting their chance in the NHL. Although Marchment is six foot four and 210 pounds, he doesn’t use that size much to his advantage. He has proven that he can score at the AHL level, but not on a consistent basis. In his four games with the Maple Leafs this season, Marchment has not really been a factor at all. He produced one assist in those four games, but not much else.

The Maple Leafs need someone to fill the void left by the injury to Andreas Johnsson. Johnsson will be out for at least eight weeks on Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR). I think Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was hoping the solution would come from within the organization. The Marchment experiment did not work as well as the Maple Leafs would have liked. Hence the trade with Florida for Denis Malgin. Trades are not always the answer, but this time I think it was the right move.

Denis Malgin might not have the size that Marchment has, but the five foot nine forward has the speed, skill and experience that Marchment lacks. Tony Ferrari from dobberprospects.com had this to say when asked about Malgin.
“I wouldn’t compare him to Zach Hyman specifically but yes he is a mature defensive player who has a high-tempo game. He is faster than Hyman and has a bit more pure skill. I’m not saying he will outproduce him by any means but he will be a very good bottom-six guy if given the chance.“ Malgin has four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 36 games played this season.

Maple Leafs and Senators Trade

The Maple Leafs acquired Aaron Luchuk in the trade that sent Nikita Zaitsev to Ottawa for Cody Ceci. Luchuk never really found his footing with the Toronto Marlies and has spent most of his time playing for the Newfoundland Growlers in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). A return to the Ottawa organization might be better for Luchuk. He can return to the Belleville Senators of the AHL where he seemed to have better success than with the Marlies. The Maple Leafs are also sending the Senators a 2021 conditional sixth round pick.

Coming to the Maple Leafs in this deal is Max Veronneau. I believe that Veronneau is hoping for a fresh start with the Marlies. He has just 10 points this season for the Belleville Senators. With the number of Marlies called up to play with the Maple Leafs and Marchment being traded, this could help Veronneau get more ice time. When I asked Tony Ferrari about Veronneau here is what he had to say. “Veronneau was a hot commodity coming out of college last year but he hasn’t been able to translate his game to the pros quite yet. He’s 24 years old now and is just about out of time as a prospect. He likely serves as an AHL middle-six forward. He’s a guy who had some upside eight months ago and could still maybe be something.” I hope Veronneau can turn into something for the Maple Leafs.

Final Thoughts on These Trades

At 25 years old Marchment is what he is. He is not really a prospect anymore and will most likely end up being a full time AHL player. I think the Maple Leafs realized this and decided now was the time to trade him. The player they get back in return has much more NHL experience and a better skill set. I think this trade is a win for the Maple Leafs. Do I wish the Maple Leafs would add more size and grit? Sure, but they weren’t getting the grit from Marchment anyway. With the Veronneau trade I think it was purely a minor league deal and nothing more. I still think it’s weird seeing trades between rivals happening more often, but the league has changed. As far as minor trades go, I think the Maple Leafs did pretty well.

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