The Toronto Maple Leafs need Eric Staal.
The Leafs have been the talk of recent trade rumors that would send the 29-year-old center in a package with the Carolina Hurricanes.
It's not just a move that would benefit Toronto, but it's one that almost seems necessary for a team looking to get back to the playoffs for just a second time in a decade.
Staal would represent a boost in scoring and legitimize the Maple Leafs' forward group. Last year, Toronto finished 12th in the Eastern Conference, nine points out of a playoff spot. However, the team was in contention until the last few weeks of the season, where it subsequently lost eight of its last 10.
It's not hard to imagine having a superstar center like Staal may have reversed that fate. Scoring was an issue for the Leafs during the homestretch, as they averaged only two goals a game in their final 10. Toronto ranked 14th in scoring overall last year with 2.71 goals per game.
Staal is a proven goal scorer, notching 290 career goals and 690 points to date in his 11-year NHL career. He's had eight seasons with at least 20 goals and average ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Andrew Petyak
NHL Trade Rumors: Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Must Make a Deal for Eric Staal
October 16th, 2014 by Andrew Petyak Leave a reply »
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