Quoting: TrueCanuck
1. Crouse isn’t available. He’s one of Arizona’s few untouchables.
2. Niemela isn’t available. Dubas prefers to keep his top prospects this year, he was listed as 1 of those along with Knies and Robertson.
3. Chychrun doesn’t fit in Toronto. Rielly and Sandin already have both spots on the left side locked down in the top 4 for the foreseeable future, neither of them nor Chychrun play the right side, so there’s no spot for Chychrun to fit in.
Why does everyone seem to think that acquiring players from the worst team in the league will help their team? Arizona is bad for a reason - they have bad players.
Chychrun has played some right side the last few games, it’s possible he would be just fine there.
However in short term muzzin is hurt and can’t really be relied on this season to stay in the lineup and be effective, so you can go Rielly, chychrun, sandin as the left side.
Long term muzzin would eventually be moved, he won’t play his last year of this deal in Toronto anyways so if chychrun can’t play the right side you can go Rielly, chychrun, sandin on the left side long term.
Tampa traded for McDonagh when they had hedman and sergachev on the left and still play them on different parings.
Sure a right shot d fits better but who’s available that has term, a good cap hit and fits the timeline of the core?
The team would be significantly improved this season with chychrun and going forward there will be options to make the blue line fit together.