The NHL trade deadline is only four days away, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have high expectations.
In the latest 32 Thoughts episode, Elliotte Friedman had much information to share about what moves the Leafs might pull the trigger on. Here are the biggest points that were said during this much-anticipated podcast episode:
The Leafs will be looking at all options
It seems like nothing is off the table regarding Leafs GM Brad Treliving. As the deadline approaches, his interest in certain players will be there, and there’ll be no shortage of that.
“I also believe that if it becomes a thing, it’s just Treliving’s way that he would poke into Rantanen. I find it very hard to believe that if Rantanen got out there, Toronto wouldn’t at least see what it took to do it,” Friedman mentions.
Toronto is in a cap crunch having only $3M in cap space at the deadline. Their cap situation isn’t ideal, but at the deadline anything is possible, and if the opportunity arose to make a splash, the Leafs wouldn’t hesitate if it made sense.
Brayden Schenn is a target, but he’s expensive
While Brayden Schenn has been connected to the Leafs for some time now, the price to pry him out of St. Louis will be large. There’s also the contract he has, where he’s making $6.5M for three more years. Toronto would certainly have to require salary retention if a trade was an option.
Friedman mentions that teams are looking at four major assets the Leafs have to make deals: their 2026 first-round pick, Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan and first-round pick Ben Danford.
However, Friedman adds that he thinks the Leafs will add a center at that deadline.
The blueline could be in for an upgrade
The Leafs could also be looking at options at improving the state of their blueline and could be in the market for a defenceman.
“I wonder if they’re thinking of defence. Not only for performance reasons, but Tanev is hurt, and Ekman-Larsson got hurt against the Rangers, I wonder if they just want insurance.”
Extra depth on the blueline never hurts, and with key defenders out at the moment, the Leafs could be looking at filling in some holes.
Marner and Tavares are end of season discussions
If you’re wondering if one of Mitch Marner or John Tavares sign a contract extension by the deadline, it likely won’t happen. Friedman states that he believes extension talks won’t happen until the season is over.
“I would leave him (Marner) alone. Just play. He’s in a great spot, let it ride.”
While it’s a gamble to not have extension talks, if the Leafs are winning, it won’t be a huge distraction yet. But if they yet again fail to meet expectations in the playoffs, the conversation behind the core four will get even louder.
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