Darren Dreger, while acknowledging it’s unlikely, has floated the intriguing possibility of a significant trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues. This hypothetical deal could involve the first overall pick in the NHL draft.
Dreger, engaging in some lighthearted speculation, proposed a scenario where the Maple Leafs might consider trading the first overall pick. He entertained the idea of packaging this high draft selection, along with potentially other assets, to acquire key players from the St. Louis Blues. Specifically, he mentioned the possibility of acquiring forwards like Robert Thomas and defensemen like Colton Parayko.
The rationale behind such a bold move, according to Dreger, stems from the Maple Leafs’ desire to capitalize on their current competitive window with star Auston Matthews. With Matthews having two years left on his contract, and with other core players like Mitch Marner and John Tavares expressing a need for more help to bolster the team’s competitiveness, the Leafs might explore drastic measures.
Dreger also tossed in the idea of including goaltenders in the hypothetical discussion, suggesting that Jordan Binnington of the Blues could be part of the equation. He acknowledged that this kind of speculation is entertaining, but ultimately reiterated his belief that a trade of this magnitude is improbable.
While Dreger finds the exercise of imagining such a blockbuster trade to be fun, he maintains that it’s unlikely to materialize.
