The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a solid start to the 2023-24 campaign, but if they want to become a major contender in the Eastern Conference, it appears as though they will need to make a big deal or two ahead of the trade deadline.
The San Jose Sharks are a team likely to be open for business this season, as the team are targeting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and it's something the Maple Leafs should take a close look at.
While the blue line and goaltending is somewhere the Leafs should look at a lot closer, Tomas Hertl could be the perfect addition for a team that needs scoring alongside their core four, and they've got the pieces to make it happen.
Hertl is locked into the Sharks for the next seven years, and the Leafs could likely get him for cheap if San Jose retain some money on him, and while another long-term deal for Toronto is a risky move, this is the type of chance they should take if they want to take the next step in 2023-24.