The Maple Leafs are on track to face another first-round elimination. This time around, there could be changes, and players may become available on the trade market.
Elliotte Friedman has already reported that the Leafs' core could potentially be split up if they were to suffer another first-round defeat in the playoffs.
Marner, Matthews, Nylander, and even Tavares could therefore be separated. On TVA Sports, colorful personalities Tony Marinaro and Jean-Charles Lajoie discussed the matter on the JiC show.
The name Kaiden Guhle has been targeted in a trade involving the young defenseman to acquire Mitch Marner. The two speakers had differing opinions:
"I wouldn't give up Kaiden Guhle for Mitch Marner," Marinaro stated. "How are you going to replace Kaiden Guhle?"
"We have them by the dozen," Jean-Charles retorted. "We have plenty of good defensemen."
"Good promising young defensemen, yes, but defenders of Guhle's caliber? Not necessarily," Marinaro clarified. "He's the second toughest defenseman in the CH. He's a lefty who can play on the right, a big guy."
The debate is worth having, and the question deserves to be raised. Would Marner really be a solution in Montreal considering his playoff performances, and should the Canadiens really sacrifice a young player like Guhle?
