The Toronto Maple Leafs revealed that Auston Matthews flew to Germany to see a specialist for his upper-body issue. Is there cause for concern? As the Toronto Maple Leafs face a growing number of injuries (and a suspension), the team is reportedly among the organizations targeting a center to address their depth concerns up the middle, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman [https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1859628055876005949]. In his latest 32 Thoughts column [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/32-thoughts-why-the-bruins-fired-jim-montgomery-and-whats-next/] posted on Thursday, Friedman suggested that the Leafs are among the teams interested in adding center depth, joining teams like the Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/] and Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/] who are already exploring the position. “The teams that are looking hard at centers now — including Chicago and Nashville — have to weigh when others wade into the market. One of those will be Toronto, for sure,” Friedman wrote. Though the Blackhawks and Predators have “more of a willingness to do it at this time,” and the assets to move, the Leafs are a team to be considered in the mix. “The Blackhawks and Predators have the advantage of more cap space/high picks to trade, and more of a willingness to do it at this time. But as the season continues and cap-strapped teams try to build space, competition will increase.” Currently, Toronto is dealing with a bit of a roster crunch, with potentially seven forwards sidelined due to injury or suspension. Ryan Reaves is serving a five-game suspension, Matthew Knies is day-to-day (upper-body), while Auston Matthews (upper-body), Calle Jarnkrok (groin/sports hernia), David Kampf (lower-body), Max Domi (lower-body), and Max Pacioretty (lower-body) are all unavailable. This mounting injury list has left a noticeable gap in the Leafs' center position, which the team discussed filling with Mitch Marner if needed. Though the short-term solution may involve shifting players like Marner, Toronto still faces the longer-term challenge of addressing the hole in the middle of the ice. As the injuries pile up and depth becomes even more crucial, the need for a reliable center is clear – as it has been for quite some time now. James Mirtle of The Athletic [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5933180/2024/11/20/maple-leafs-trade-targets-centre/] weighed in on potential trade targets for the Leafs on Wednesday, naming some familiar faces in the process. One option could be Ryan O'Reilly, the former Maple Leafs forward currently with the Predators. Despite signing a four-year, $18 million contract with Nashville in 2023, the Predators’ 31st-place standing and 6-11-3 record in the league might push them toward a retool if this play continues, and O'Reilly could be a prime trade candidate – though the price is likely steep. However, as Mirtle notes, the complexities of such a move, citing O'Reilly's previous decision to turn down the Leafs’ offer less than two years ago in free agency, makes it a difficult one to bring to fruition. Aside from mentioning former Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri, Mirtle also mentioned other viable potential fits for Toronto, including Mikael Granlund, Nick Bjugstad, Brock Nelson, Yanni Gourde, Trent Frederic, Radek Faska, and Sean Kuraly – some making more sense than others based on price. While the team looks to fill the void in their lineup on a more long-term basis, it seems that general manager Brad Treliving will certainly be monitoring the market. Whether or not the Leafs make an addition remains uncertain, but it can be expected they’ll at least be active for the right piece to strengthen their depth up the middle.
