Should the Maple Leafs Trade for Vincent Lecavalier?

He is one of the best players in the game, playing in a city and state that could care less about hockey. He is a proven winner who in the past few years been saddled with a team that has a few stars and a lot of nobodies. He would thrive in Toronto, and give the team a superstar that even Sundin never was, tied with a bow to a long-term contract.

Could the Leafs land Vincent Lecavalier? Not easily, but yes.

The obvious benchmark is the Lindros trade in 1992. Quebec agreed to take Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Kerry Huffman, Ron Hextall, Steve Duschene, a first rounder and cash for Lindros in a competitive market for the young franchise play (so competitive that Quebec couldn't resist taking two offers, and arbitration required Quebec to add Simon and second 1st rounder as part of settlement).

Hextall was known to be on last legs and not key to trade, nor was Huffman. Forsberg was seen as having great potential, but far exceeded expectations. 

So, what could Leafs offer given they have nowhere near that depth?  Start with Kaberle who has real value, and then Antropov, who is strong second- or third-line forward. Schenn would likely be required, but let's assume they keep it to Pogge as key prospect.

Add in a couple of valuable pieces for fun (Moore and White), and you have a decimated Leaf team, and still not enough. But...given sorry performance of the team, Leafs draft picks are valuable...very valuable. Throw in two first rounders and the deal is done. Throw in 2011 first rounder and two second rounders...and still appealing given excellent shot at No. 1 overall pick.

So deal could be done, and a genuine superstar could be landed. Should it be considered, though? Certainly not.

Vincent is almost 29 years old...still in his prime, but surrounding him with the worst supporting cast in the league for next seven years wouldn't make any sense at all. The Canadiens have the depth and potential that requires them to find what it would take to land Vincent...there is no shortcut like this for the Leafs.