Islanders Acquire Finn, Verhaeghe, Nilsson, Gibson from Maple Leafs
By Max Marko
The Islanders and Maple Leafs made a multi player deal on Thursday involving many prospects from Toronto’s side of the deal. Toronto, and the league, have confirmed the Islanders agree to send Michael Grabner to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospects Taylor Beck, Matt Finn, Carter Verhaeghe, Tom Nilsson, and Christopher Gibson.
This is more of a move for the Maple Leafs to gain space on the roster to sign players to PTOs just in time for training camp. Michael Grabner only has one year left on his contract, so expect him to be dealt at some point towards the trade deadline in February.
From a prospects stand point, the Maple Leafs gave up some somewhat quality young guys for a rental player. Most notably Carter Verhaeghe, who hasn’t played a standard amount of games as a Marlie or a Leaf to see if he is up to snuff. Verhaeghe has had a consistent 82 point season the past two years with the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL. He has offensive zone skills, but he needs a couple of seasons in the AHL to beef up.
Lucas Perssini #40 of the Kingston Frontenacs stops a shot from a breaking Owen MacDonald #11 of the London Knights in an OHL game at Budweiser Gardens on November 29, 2014 in London, Ontario, Canada.
Nov. 28, 2014 –
Source: Claus Andersen/Getty Images North America
The Leafs also traded what would have been the Marlies starting goalie this season in Christopher Gibson. Good news is Lucas Peressini will now have a chance to stick with the Maple Leafs after a tremendous season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, which led to an amateur tryout with the Maple Leafs.
Matt Finn had a poor season last year with many gaffs throughout the season. Finn could wind up turning it around this season and should look to aim for Griffin Reinhart’s previous spot on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
If anything, the Maple Leafs have traded B prospects that they can easily get rid of due to the stellar draft they had in Florida this past June. With players like Mitch Marner, Jeremy Bracco, Travis Dermott, Nikita Korostelev and company coming up, it is more than alright for the Leafs to deal these prospects.