Mon, Feb 27, 2023 at 1:33pm

LEAFS LOAD UP!

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Jake McCabe, forward Sam Lafferty, a conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2024 and a conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2025 from the Chicago Blackhawks for forwards Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev, a conditional first-round draft pick in 2025 and a second-round draft pick in 2026.

What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have found their Jake Muzzin replacement in another Jake (McCabe). He plays a very similar style as a defensive defenseman who breaks up cycles and is fairly tough in front of the net. The Blackhawks are also paying 50 percent of his salary. Lafferty also brings something the Leafs are known to lack. He will bring his feisty speed game to Toronto's bottom-six forwards. These additions, along with Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari signify that Toronto is all in this season.

What does it give the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago continues to sell off players with an eye on landing Connor Bedard in the draft lottery. They also get more draft picks, but this return seems underwhelming. Gogolev is not a top prospect in NHL circles. Anderson is a hardworking winger who should play with the Blackhawks for the rest of the 2022-23 season. The first-round draft pick is the prize return here. However, it is top-10 protected and the return on investment will be a ways down the road. Ditto the second-rounder in '26.

Fantasy impact
This trade does not have any impact on fantasy hockey. For the Maple Leafs, this is more about playoff intangibles than points on the scoresheet.