I think it's probably more likely this season than in years past that the Leafs look at bringing in a player who may be considered a true impact player for the playoff at some point before the trade deadline. There has been a lot of discussion as to who may be the best fit in Toronto and exactly how big of a fish they might look to land, but the thought of a player like Ryan O'Reilly coming to Toronto in the new year is certainly exciting.
While O'Reilly has yet to be formally connected to the Leafs in any bona-fide trade rumours, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger was asked on Tuesday during Leafs Lunch what it might take for the Leafs to pry O'Reilly out of St. Louis. His response was an interesting one, to say the least.
Dreger had stated that he doesn't believe that the Leafs would have any interest in moving Matthew Knies, indicating that he likely factors into their plans this season and in the long-term. Dregs did, however, identify 21-year-old Nick Robertson as someone who the Leafs could consider moving.
Robertson has had more than his fair share of injury trouble, but if he possesses even half of the skill and shooting ability that his brother Jason (DAL) does, it could certainly make him an enticing young prospect - one whom the Blues may be interested in taking a flyer on.
A deal for O'Reilly likely has multiple pieces involved for balancing purposes and one of those pieces may very well be a 1st round pick. However, if the Leafs were interested in moving Robertson in the deal, one has to wonder whether or not the Blues may be willing to be a little more flexible with their ask on O'Reilly.
