The Maple Leafs have swung their second trade of the day as they have acquired winger Max Veronneau from Ottawa in exchange for center Aaron Luchuk and a conditional 2021 sixth-round pick. Both teams have confirmed the deal. TSN’s Frank Seravalli adds (Twitter link) that the pick will be transferred to the Senators if Veronneau plays in ten NHL games this season or Toronto re-signs him this summer.
Veronneau was one of the most sought after players in last year’s college free agent market after a strong college career at Princeton but ultimately signed with his hometown team. He played in a dozen games with Ottawa down the stretch that year, recording two goals and two assists but has spent the entirety of the season with AHL Belleville, recording just five goals and five assists in 33 games. Ottawa had made him available earlier this month. He’ll require a qualifying offer of just over $874K this summer.
As for Luchuk, he returns to the organization that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent out of the OHL. However, his scoring prowess with Windsor and Barrie has failed to carry over to the pros and he has spent the bulk of his time this season with ECHL Newfoundland where he is averaging over a point per game. His inclusion is likely almost solely for matching contracts (teams can carry a maximum of 50). He’s a restricted free agent this offseason as well and at this point, is a strong non-tender candidate.
Moments after this trade was announced, their AHL affiliates announced a swap of players under AHL contracts as well that is likely part of this trade with the Marlies acquiring defenseman Trent Bourque from the Senators for winger Darren Archibald. Bourque has spent most of the season with ECHL Brampton while Archibald, a veteran of 55 NHL games and more than 400 AHL contests, has a dozen points in 34 AHL contests this season.
There’s absolutely no way that pick is getting transferred, right lol?
the leafs could offer him the qo as a cheap 3rd line replacement for kspsnen or Johnsson when they are inevitably dealt
I don’t see how he’ll crack the lineup 10 times though in 21 games
I meant he could resign as a cheap option especially if he produces in the ahl. the leafs need cheap 3rd and 4th line guys to keep their core together.
Bracco on the way out as part of a package for a D-Man. Could be Dumba.
I get the leafs interest in Dumba as a 1st pairing rh d man with cost certainty long term but he is not the fit for that d. he likely would be paired with Reilly and the only thing worse than one out of position dman is two. neither understands the defensive side of the game very well and unfortunately this team doesn’t lack offensive options it lacks defense.
Agree 100% with the above. No trades until they figure what the Hell has gone wrong. Pompous Shanahan picked the wrong horse. Maybe he can eat some crow and bring Mark Hunter back into the fold.
I have a feeling that acquiring Bourque is the biggest news to come out of this down the line.