A trade has been made in attempts to shake up the bottom six. The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded Denis Malgin to the Colorado Avalanche for Dryden Hunt. It is a one-for-one trade that should give each team an element they are missing in their lineups.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Denis Malgin to Avalanche
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It is not a major game-breaking deal, but it is a minor deal to impact each club’s bottom six. Both are primarily bottom-six players, who play different styles of hockey. Toronto is looking for a bit more of a bite from their lineup and they are getting that in Hunt.
The Players
Dryden Hunt
Hunt brings a physical element to the lineup. Hunt is not a well-known point producer. His best season came in 2021-22 where he scored six goals and 17 points. However, what Hunt does is bring toughness, which will bode well with the amount of skill they have in the lineup. Hunt led the Avalanche in hits (69), and is 54th in the league. He currently only has two points this season, however, it’s not his scoring touch that the Leafs are looking for by acquiring him.
Denis Malgin
The man Toronto acquired for Mason Marchment is now out the door. However, when the move was made he was a solid point producer in Florida. It did not pan out the way they envisioned. Dubas will lick his wounds from that deal and hope that Hunt will be better suited for his lineup.
Malgin currently has four points and may see that production rise with the high-flying Avalanche. The more significant part of this deal is that Malgin has the versatility to play centre or wing. Whereas Hunt is a winger. Centre depth is lacking in Colorado, so this move makes sense for them. He has a faceoff-winning percentage of 50%, which is a nice grab for the Avalanche.
The Outlook
This is a good move for both teams. It helps add missing elements and pieces while also fitting a need. As both teams are destined for the playoffs, it will be great to see how these players fill the roles and impact the clubs.
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