Maple Leafs find out what it would cost to make major trade up front

In recent trade rumours, St. Louis Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pierre LeBrun, who has believes the Colorado Avalanche could have a shot at the star forward, reported that the Maple Leafs’ front office has internally discussed O’Reilly.

On Tuesday, LeBrun’s TSN colleague Darren Dreger revealed on Leafs Lunch what it might cost Toronto to bring O’Reilly on board. The insider answered that he doesn’t think they would part ways with prospect Matthew Knies and he would be shocked if he doesn’t sign once the NCAA season is done, but he wondered about Nick Robertson and if he could be moved to acquire the Blues’ captain.

O’Reilly is currently playing the final season of a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $7.5 million. However, he is earning $6 million in actual salary, but $5 million of that was already paid out as a signing bonus at the start of the season. He’s eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. Toronto could make the maths work.

A change of scenery might be beneficial for O’Reilly, seeing that this season he has only put up 15 points in 32 games. However, no one can dismiss his leadership in the dressing room, and it might be what Toronto needs to get over the first round of the postseason.

The veteran forward might be on the move closer to the trade deadline on March 3, but this could mean that more interested teams get in the mix for his services.

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