NHL Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs to acquire Brian Boyle from Lightning

According to Bob McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs are closing in on a trade for Tampa Bay Lightning center Brian Boyle. 

UPDATE: Here is what the Leafs gave u pro snag Boyle from the Lightning.

After the Ben Bishop trade on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning are open for business. The trade makes them officially sellers as they look to retool during a down year and hope to contend as soon as the 2017-18 NHL season. One of their best trade candidates? Brian Boyle. The veteran center will reportedly be heading to the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Bob McKenzie.

He should be a nice upgrade to Toronto’s lineup, as he replaces Ben Smith as their fourth line center. Boyle is also capable of playing higher in the lineup.

The Lightning center is a rare player who both analytics and eye test people can appreciate. Eye test people value his size and ability to win face-offs. They also value what he does around the crease. Meanwhile, analytic-minded fans appreciate his ability to drive possession and create more favorable situations for his teammates.

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Toronto gets the defensive minded center who should help improve their questionable defense. They also get an important veteran leader, which is relevant considering how inexperienced and young most of the Maple Leafs are. Meanwhile, the Lightning get something for a player they could have lost for nothing in a few months. With no other rental players on their roster, unless Tampa Bay decides to flip Peter Budaj, it appears they are done for the 2017 NHL trade deadline. Toronto is likely done as well unless they decide to use their unique cap space situation to their advantage.