Now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired their head coach, Craig Berube, he is likely making the rounds to interact with the players on his roster. The team’s general manager, Brad Treliving, needs to turn his attention to how he might enhance their roster for the 2024–25 season. Treliving did a very nice job addressing problems in his first year at the helm, and now that he is moving into his second year with the team, he will likely improve off of what he did this season. Treliving brought in players that can play the game but also have some bite; the precise sort of players he has been known to admire.

Unsurprisingly, he will seek to bring in more players with a similar style to assist strengthen the team’s toughness and spirit. On top of that, they also have Berube as their coach, who loves to preach a hard, physical game and will draw players who will want to play for him. But one player who could be available for trade that the Maple Leafs should aim to target is Tanner Jeannot, so let’s break it down.

Why Target Jeannot?

Jeannot just doesn’t fit with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although they handed up practically an entire draft class worth of picks for him, he never excelled there. Heading into this offseason, NHL fans may hear a lot of Jeannot’s name in trade talks if they decide to move on from him. He did have some success scoring during his time with the Nashville Predators when he first got into the NHL.

In his first season, he produced 24 goals and 17 assists for 41 points and seemed to be yet another excellent power forward. Unfortunately, he fell off and would likely benefit from a change of scenery. That is where the Maple Leafs should call the Lightning to figure out the asking price and see if they can make it work. He would be a terrific fit to help fortify the Maple Leafs’ checking line.

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If the two teams could strike a deal on a deal for Jeannot, his fit on the team would make sense. As noted, he might help strengthen the checking line but also has room to improve and work his way up the lineup and potentially settle into a middle-six role. If Berube and the Maple Leafs can bring him back to his old form and he can score 15-plus goals per season then the transaction would be judged a success.

 

Jeannot Trade Package

Without knowing the trade value of Jeannot fully, the belief is that his lack of output will certainly hinder the Lightning’s ask. At this point, Tampa Bay may be content with just shifting out his $2.65 million salary commitment for the following season and recouping some draft money.

In that situation, the Maple Leafs may need to trade a mid-tier prospect and a draft pick or two to clinch the deal. It is vital to note that Jeannot has a modified no-trade clause and might have the Maple Leafs on the list. However, considering the fact that they are annual postseason challengers, he may be prepared to waive his no-trade clause to join the squad.

Toronto Maple Leafs Receive: Tanner Jeannot

Tampa Bay Lightning Receive: Alex Steeves, Gregor (RFA Rights) & 2024 7th Round Pick (OTT)

Due to the Maple Leafs’ lack of draft money, they would likely need to give up Alex Steeves, who may be given a chance to crack the Lightning’s NHL team in a bottom-six role. The signing of Noah Gregor provides them another swift bottom-six forward to supplement their skilled top-six, and lastly, the seventh-round pick in 2024 gives them a later-round draft pick to add another prospect.

If Treliving and Berube have it their way, it seems the Maple Leafs are travelling back in time to an age when the squad was tough to play against and rough. The signing of Jeannot would give them a more skilled version of Ryan Reaves, as Jeannot can score more goals and be a big-bodied presence on a second power-play unit. Players like Jeannot and Reaves make the club play a lot bigger and more fearless because they know they have some of the hardest players in the NHL to back them up. Jeannot looks like a wonderful fit for the Maple Leafs’ new brand under Treliving and Berube.

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