The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks could pull off a trade sooner than later, and it would benefit both more than it seems.
The Blackhawks have sunk to the bottom of the standings, but regardless of where they are right now, they have too many NHL-caliber defenseman for a young up-and-coming team. Bringing in someone like Matt Grzelcyk wasn't the best move, even after a 40-point season, but he can move the puck and think offensively, something the Maple Leafs sorely need.
David Pagnotta said, "(The Maple Leafs) are looking for that puck mover on the back-end." Based on their cap space situation, someone cheaper that can get the job done is a less risky move at this time to see how things go. Grzelcyk is signed for this season at $1 million AAV.
Grzelcyk only has seven assists this season, but the Blackhawks aren't good, can't score, and he is playing under 17 minutes per game as opposed to over 20.5 last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blackhawks should have never signed him to a PTO and then a contract in the first place as it should be another development season while Ethan Del Mastro has played two NHL games, Sam Rinzel is in the AHL now after 28 games, and Nolan Allan and Kevin Korchinski haven't seen any NHL time this season.
Connor Murphy is absolutely going to be traded by the Blackhawks, and if that happens, Grzelcyk will be the oldest on the Chicago back-end by a lot, but the team can handle a younger defensive group as they aren't making playoffs this season anyways.
As for the Maple Leafs, they regularly run through plenty of assets and it gets them nowhere. I don't think the Blackhawks would be mad at a sixth or seventh-round pick in exchange for Grzelcyk right now to get the puck to their forwards easier. He likely won't turn back into a 40-point defenseman, but will be better than he is on Chicago this season and options the Maple Leafs have.
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