In the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs have not yet added to their forward corps. After yet another early-round playoff exit, the Maple Leafs turned their attention to defense and goaltending.
Users can design their own trades using the PuckGM tool on the website PuckPedia. One user suggested a trade that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils.
Maple Leafs get:
- Ondrej Palat
Devils get:
- Calle Jarnkrok
- David Kampf
The proposed deal is an interesting one, as both the Maple Leafs and Devils would get off contracts that don’t look good. It also is a fair deal for what both teams need.
Toronto would acquire Palat who is entering the third year of a five-year $30 million deal. The left-winger would become the Maple Leafs’ second-line left-winger and add some scoring to the lineup, as well as playoff experience.
Palat was a key member of the Tampa Bay Lightning team that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. However, since signing with the Devils, he has struggled to produce as much offense as last season, he skated in 71 games recording 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points.
New Jersey, meanwhile, would get two bottom-six forwards to round out their depth in Jarnkrok and Kapf. Jarnkrok could add some scoring to the bottom of the lineup and help replace Palat as last season, he skated in 52 games recording 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points. Jarnkrok has two years left on his four-year $8.4 million deal.
Kampf, meanwhile, can be the Devils’ fourth-line center and help out with the team’s penalty kill. He is entering the second year of a four-year $9.6 million and last season, he skated in 78 games recording 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points.
Devils Active in Free Agency
New Jersey missed the playoffs in the 2023-24 NHL season and in the offseason, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerlad was active in improving his roster.
New Jersey went out and traded for star goalie Jakob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. The team also signed defensemen Brett Pesce and Brendan Dillon, while adding forwards Tomas Tatar, Paul Cotter, and Stefan Noesen.
