Toronto Maple Leafs: Leivo gone, but should it have been Brown?

With William Nylander signing his new contract on Saturday, there was bound to be an odd man out on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster. Josh Leivo was that man,but would it have made more sense to trade Connor Brown?

I am sure that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas already had something in the works, or at least a game plan. And perhaps Josh Leivo even had his bag somewhat packed knowing the inevitable, but could this have gone another way?

The reported promise that Dubas made Leivo, in that he would be traded if his role with the team was diminished came to fruition, when Vancouver Canuck prospect Michael Carcone, 22,  came the other way. Carcone, by the way, has 17 points in 20 games for the Utica Comets…not too shabby.

Leivo had finally started getting his regular look in the show. I, for one, have always been a big fan. When he was put in the lineup, he produced.

When he wasn’t in the lineup, he busted his ass and didn’t complain…at least not that we heard. And when he probably had a chance to leave for another opportunity this past offseason, he decided to stay.

More from Toronto Maple Leafs

• Maple Leafs Rumours: Half of NHL teams interested in Ilya Mikheyev
• Toronto Maple Leafs: How to address the goaltender position
• Leafs reward Timothy Liljegren with extension after breakout season
• Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell situation becoming increasingly uncertain
• Jason Spezza retires, joins Toronto Maple Leafs front office

Now, Leivo only had seven points this season; all the while being on the second powerplay unit, but spending most of his time on the fourth line.

Why would it make more sense to move Connor Brown instead? Well, before that, let me make it clear that I am a Brown fan.

I love the aggressiveness of Brown’s game, along with the playmaking ability and speed. His penalty killing is top-notch as well. But while being on the third line…he only has nine points this year.

So why would I have moved him instead. Here’s my three reasons:

1. Contract- Brown has another $2.1 million on next year and with the team being cash strapped, they need to find every cent they can to keep the young core together. Leivo, I speculate, could have been signed for somewhere around the $1.5 million range for a couple of years. Now, unless Dubas can unload the Patrick Marleau contract somewhere and find a more economical (and hopefully younger) version of Ron Hainsey, they could use that difference in dollars.
2. Value- We know the well versed issue with the Leafs’ cap issues, so loading talent in the Toronto Marlies’ coffers to develop and take the place of more expensive options on the big squad. Carcone looks like a great trade-off for Leivo, but what could they have gotten for Brown? A higher end prospect? A higher draft pick? Speculation again.
3. Grit– Social media has been besieged, usually around games versus the Boston Bruins, by fans complaining about the “truculence” of this team. I agree to a small degree with the need for more sandpaper in the lineup come playoff time (although not as much as the older generations that seem not to realize the game is changing), and this is where Leivo trumps Brown. Leivo is ready to answer the bell when called on and can change the game with a smashing hit. Now…that falls on Nazem Kadri. Not who fans want to see throwing hits around.

It is great to be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan and have these sorts of things to complain about. It has been a long time coming.

And while Dubas and William Nylander were marred in their struggle over the contract, some (although not me!) would say rather dilatorily so, we have needed something else to talk about.

I feel though that this isn’t the last time we see a player move from this roster with the need to sign many players, to fill certain spots and to get the big two, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, wrapped up. From this Leaf fan though, to Leivo, all the best and good luck in Vancouver!