Maple Leafs Rumors: 5 Potential Center Targets Proposed for This Offseason

With the Toronto Maple Leafs having won the lottery, if they don't move the pick, they'll be adding a legit top-six winger to their roster next season. Whether it's presumed No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna, or perhaps Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, they'll be adding an excellent future star.

But one of the biggest trouble spots for the Buds has been their center depth. After Auston Matthews (assuming he stays) and veteran John Tavares (he'll be 36 next season), it's a pretty precarious situation down the middle in Toronto.

With that, Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News has proposed five center options the Leafs can try to acquire this offseason.

2 Trade Options at center for the Leafs this summer

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks

It's been a tough year for McTavish, a player who seemingly has the potential to be a second-line center. But after being embroiled in a bitter battle with the team in training camp over a new contract, he held out, and never really got his game going once he did sign his six-year, $7M AAV deal. He finished the regular season with just 17 goals and 41 points, both significantly down from the previous year. He's been a healthy scratch twice in these playoffs for the Ducks while getting just 12+ average minutes of ice time when he has played.

But there's more talent there to be unlocked for the former 3rd overall pick. He's still just 23, and, as Gaudio notes, if the Leafs were to acquire him, "he can start as the third-line center and slowly take over the second line reins as Tavares ages and McTavish grows."

Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken

Wright was a trade candidate back at the deadline, but the Kraken held onto him. He had a disappointing season, with just 12 goals and 27 points. As the former 4th overall pick (2022 NHL Draft), many feel there are greater heights for Wright to reach, and perhaps a change of scenery would do him wonders. His value is at an all-time low, as Gaudio writes, and perhaps the Leafs could trade for him at a bargain price. If it's veterans the Kraken are looking for, Toronto has some they might be interested in.

UFA options for the Leafs this offseason

Charlie Coyle

The Columbus Blue Jackets' pivot upped his stock considerably this season, and is seen as one of the top unrestricted free agents available on the market. The 34-year-old had 20 goals and 58 points (the second-highest of his career) in 18:06 average ice time a night (a career best). Because of the relative dearth of high-option centers available, Coyle will be able to command a pretty penny, so this would be an expensive option.

Boone Jenner

Sticking with Columbus, it would be tough for the Jackets to lose their long-time captain and franchise legend. He just completed his 13th season with the team, and is its all-time leader in games played. But he's faced injury troubles the past few seasons and has seen his production dip. However, Gaudio writes that he'd be a cheaper option on the open market. "Jenner would bring physicality and defensive fortitude to the Maple Leafs third line."

Barrett Hayton

This is an intriguing one, and a player that new Leafs GM John Chayka should know well. He obviously liked the player back in 2018 when he made him the 5th overall pick in the NHL Draft. But he's never developed into that pedigree of player for the Coyotes/Mammoth franchise, and slumped this past season to just 10 goals and 25 points in 67 games. But he did reach his career-high of 20 goals just one year earlier.