With the winter Olympics underway and the NHL trade freeze in effect, that won’t stop the rumour mill from generating potential talking points for the next few weeks until teams can start making moves again. That includes the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs aren’t changing their plan and are staying the course of being sellers at the deadline. However, there is always the potential for a move to unfold where they sell off an asset but can get another piece in return. They can look to the Los Angeles Kings to try and make that kind of a trade work.
Kings Make Foegele Available
In his latest edition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentions in his first point that even with the addition of Artemi Panarin, the Kings still need to fill a void at centre and that Warren Foegele could be moved out to make that happen.
“There were reports they tried to add Vincent Trocheck to this deal,” Friedman wrote. “I can’t speak to that, but word is Trocheck prefers to stay East with what control he has. That doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee, but it is his preference at this time. Talking on TNT Thursday night, [Ken] Holland mentioned Warren Foegele – who has been a scratch – as someone he’ll need to move.”
After having a strong first season with the Kings where he had career bests in goals with 24 and points with 46, Foegele hasn’t played to that same level as he has six goals and eight points this season. His ice time is down from 16:10 to 14:42 this season and being a healthy scratch as of late isn’t a good sign for his spot in the lineup and the reason why he’s being made available in a trade.
When it comes to the Maple Leafs, they can be a potential suitor to land him while also giving up an asset in return. Seeing as the Kings need a centre, it’s possible that Scott Laughton– whose name has come up in the rumour mill– could be moved as well as he is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Foegele is signed for $3.5 million for next season and could be a strong piece to add as he can be another serviceable winger with speed and goal scoring ability.
Related: Maple Leafs Risking Hyman 2.0 Situation with Bobby McMann
It’s not ideal to move someone like Laughton as he’s been a consistent producer as of late and showing the passion he has for the team, similar to other players that are potentially on the market for the Maple Leafs. Although, if they aren’t able to extend him, it’s better to get a player with term in return. Foegele’s value isn’t high and if you move Laughton who looks to have more value as a depth centre that can kill penalties, you could look to get a couple of draft picks in return or even a mid-tier prospect as well.
Foegele Could Replacement for McMann
There continues to be a lot of talk surrounding forward Bobby McMann, even leading up to the freeze as his price could get a first- round pick. Even if the Maple Leafs do move on from McMann, should the Maple Leafs make a move for Foegele, he could be an ideal replacement for him as a player that can play in the middle-six of the lineup.
Foegele is the same age as McMann and while he’s having a down season, he has shown to be a reliable secondary scorer. Even if the back-to-back 40-points seasons he had the previous two seasons isn’t achievable, if he can get you 30- 35 points while still teetering the 20-goal mark, he can be a strong offensive player. However, there’s some caution with both players.
McMann might not be able to be to this productive which is why the Maple Leafs are selling high. The same thing goes with Foegele’s production, but you can at least expect a certain point range when looking at his career. He plays a similar style and is better defensively than McMann. The potential for McMann to regress remains, while Foegele has an opportunity to bounce back and improve on his production to what is a normal range.
Foegele is a player that can be utilized in many ways than just at five-on-five, as he can kill penalties, can be tough to play against and has decent speed to go with it. While he doesn’t have McMann’s speed and is even bested by him in medium and high danger shots per NHL EDGE, Foegele did have 82 high danger shots and 51 mid-range shots last season. If he can be that dangerous again, that’s a good incentive. This season, when he’s on the ice at 5v5, he has an expected goals for percentage of 52.94, a scoring chances for percentage of 53.10% and a high danger chances for percentage of 56.77%. He’s making an impact and getting his looks, it’s just the conversion isn’t there. It’s definitely a chance worth taking.
He was close to winning a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24, so that veteran experience could help the Maple Leafs for the future on how to deal with adversity as the Oilers had some against the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars.
Related: Oilers Linked To Maple Leafs’ Defenseman Brandon Carlo
While moving from both Laughton and McMann isn’t ideal, finding a replacement for one of those players is. Foegele could be an addition that could be a decent asset. If McMann gets that first-round pick (maybe more) and the Maple Leafs decide to move Laughton for Foegele and another piece, it could be something worth looking into.
Statistics from Natural Stat Trick and NHL EDGE.
