A few days ago, Denis Malgin played with Florida against his current teammates. Image: AP
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Is it your last chance in the NHL? What you need to know about Denis Malgin’s trade
Denis Malgin has had a new home since yesterday. The Swiss NHL player was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs by the Florida Panthers. We answer the most important questions about the trade.
The news came as a surprise yesterday: Denis Malgin is switching from Florida Panthers to Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for striker Mason Marchment (24). The trade was not necessarily unexpected – Malgin hardly played in Florida anymore – rather the destination. But more on that later.
The barter does not only mean that the Zurich man has to stock up on winter clothes again (in the Miami area there were recently between 25 and 30 degrees, minus temperatures in Toronto), but also that he was reunited with Auston Matthews. The two played together at ZSC Lions in 2015/16.
But of course the trade has other implications. On the fight for the playoff places and also on Denis Malgin’s further career. We summarize.
Why did the Leafs want Malgin?
With Andreas Johnsson and Ilja Michejew, two bottom six wings from Toronto, ie strikers for the back two rows, will be out for the rest of the season. The Leafs are therefore somewhat lacking in the squad depth in the storm. That’s where Denis Malgin can help.
Long-term failure after knee surgery: Toronto striker Andreas Johnsson. Image: AP
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“We need players with an NHL level and now we have one more,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe and continues: “Malgin is not just a talented player, he is a competitive type. If you line it up with good players, it can be successful. »
Was Malgin unhappy in Florida?
Yes. The former ZSC junior has only played seven out of a possible 21 games since the turn of the year, although he also scored in these games despite little ice age. It went so far that his agent Peter Svoboda requested a trade from Florida’s general manager Dale Tallon. Now he has the chance to restart at Toronto.
What role can Malgin play in Toronto?
As already mentioned above, Malgin is probably intended for the third or fourth storm line. As a small athlete with a solid defensive game, he would be predestined for a position in the third line. He plays safely in his own zone and is strong in carrying the puck from the defensive into the opposing zone.
In Florida, the 23-year-old was also unlucky this season. At 8.5 percent, its shot efficiency is well below the career average of 10.8 percent. It will of course be difficult to replace Andreas Johnsson, who scored 20 goals and 23 assists last season.
The Zürcher can be used flexibly because it can play both center and wing. Scott Wheeler, Leafs journalist at “The Athletic”, also sees the potential at Malgin to play a role in the special teams. In the penalty killing and in the second power play formation. But there is also the possibility that Malgin has to take a seat in the stands every now and then.
What does the trade mean for Malgin’s career?
Malgin has no new contract for next season. With good performances in Toronto, he could bring himself back into conversation with other teams. Especially because Toronto is the largest market in the league in the media. Good performances with the Leafs are registered everywhere.
The same applies to poor performance. That’s why the striker is under pressure. He is given a chance to prove himself at a new location and can show that he belongs in the NHL. However, if he does not succeed, the chances that the Zurich company will again receive a fair contract in North America are waning.
Which team won the trade?
Finally, of course, this can only be assessed in a few years. At the moment, however, it looks like the Leafs made the better deal. Malgin is a player who has been in the NHL for three years. Mason Marchment is almost two years older, but has only four NHL games in the account. The Canadian is bigger and heavier than Malgin, but otherwise has less to offer.
Why do the Panthers help a direct competitor?
As already mentioned in the introduction, it is surprising that Malgin is switching to the Leafs. After all, the two teams in the Atlantic Division are involved in an extremely exciting playoff battle. Florida ranks third in the division with 70 points. Toronto has the same number of points, but is only fourth in the wildcard race.
The table situation in the Atlantic Division and in the wild card race of the Eastern Conference. Image: screenshot nhl.com
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Since only teams from the Metropolitan Division are within striking distance between and behind them, Panthers and Leafs fight for third place in their division.
Florida’s big problem was that they really had no cap space at all. Getting players from the AHL to the NHL was difficult. Newcomers to Marchment can now send Floridians to the AHL without adding them to the waiver list, which is why his wages are irrelevant. That would not have been the case with Malgin. He should have been on the waiver list and other teams could have picked him up without handing in anything himself. So the Panthers Malgins contract are going and have received an equivalent.
Without Malgin, only $ 750,000 falls off the balance sheet, but it gives them a little more leeway again – for appeals from the AHL or for other trades.
How did the Toronto fans react?
The fans are divided into different camps. There is a faction that Leafs-GM Kyle Dubas wants to send to the devil as quickly as possible. They accuse the 34-year-old of not caring about the team’s actual problems. They call for reinforcements for the defense and a little more “rumble resistance”. So bigger and stronger players. Of course, a Denis Malgin doesn’t fit in with them.
«Marchment was one of the few strikers who still had some ‘grit’. Last weekend I watched how he caused chaos for the opponents in the AHL. One who can make the difference, given to a small skill player. We already have enough of that. »
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The other camp takes a slightly more differentiated approach. They also think that the biggest problem in Toronto is defense, but they are happy that Dubas has exchanged an AHL player for an actor with NHL talent.
«Kyle Dubas brought Kyle Clifford and good substitute Jack Campbell for a fourth-line player and picks. He brought Denis Malgin for an AHL player older than Malgin. You can’t please people. »
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Is Malgin the first Swiss Leafs?
No. Martin Gerber has already played twelve games for Toronto in the 2008/09 season. Malgin will be number two.
The Canadian Ken Baumgartner had the Swiss passport, except for a season at the EHC Chur but little relation to Swiss ice hockey. Paul DiPietro did not have Swiss citizenship while he was with the Maple Leafs. Luca Cereda was drafted by the Canadian franchise in the first round, but did not play an NHL game due to his heart problems.
