The Toronto Maple Leafs' season has been a rollercoaster, with injuries piling up and leaving the team in a tough spot. The latest setback is the injury to Joseph Woll, who stepped up as the starting goalie with Anthony Stolarz out. Now, both goalies are sidelined, and the team is left with a challenging decision.
A Questionable Trade Proposal?
Amidst this goalie crisis, a mock trade has caught the attention of many fans. Heavy.com proposed a trade between the Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues, involving Jordan Binnington and Joseph Woll. But here's where it gets controversial: the trade seems to raise more questions than it answers.
The Binnington-Woll Trade Debate
In a recent article, Heavy.com suggested that the Maple Leafs could acquire Binnington by trading Woll. While Binnington would be a valuable addition, the trade doesn't seem financially feasible for the Leafs. Trading Woll would not only disrupt the team's chemistry but also increase the goalie cap hit to a substantial $8.25 million.
Financial Implications and Team Dynamics
The financial aspect of this trade is a significant concern. Binnington's contract pays him $6 million per season, which is double what Woll earns. The Maple Leafs would need to either free up cap space or offer additional assets to make this deal work. With limited cap space, they would likely need to convince the Blues to retain a portion of Binnington's contract, which could prove challenging.
The Leafs' Limited Assets
Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs don't have the luxury of extra assets to sweeten the deal. Unless they part with valuable players like Nick Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok, the trade might not be feasible. It's unlikely that the Blues would agree to move their starting goalie for such a package.
A Realistic Alternative?
While the Binnington trade might be a long shot, the Leafs could explore other options. Luke Fox, in his "Quick Shifts" article, suggests Laurent Brossoit from the Chicago Blackhawks or Alex Lyon from the Buffalo Sabres as potential trade targets. These goalies could provide a more affordable and practical solution to the Leafs' goalie woes, at least until Stolarz and Woll return.
So, while the Binnington trade idea is intriguing, it seems unlikely to materialize. The Leafs will need to explore other avenues to strengthen their goalie tandem and navigate this challenging season.
