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As the trade market heats up, rising demand could force the Maple Leafs in a different direction
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
With the trade market becoming a bit more hectic, the demand to improve may cost Toronto too much, and they could be forced to become sellers, not buyers.
A lot of discussion this season has centered around the Maple Leafs' need to improve and have been linked to several names like Rasmus Andersson and were in play for Mason Marchment before he was traded to Columbus.
But now the team needs more than help from a body or two. There are some serious issues going on in the Maple Leafs organization that need addressing first.
New report shows trade demand already growing
With that being said, that's never stopped anyone from being aggressive before however a new report from David Pagnotta shows that with demand being so high; it might be hard to add.
Pagnotta appeared on the BK and Ferrario Show on Dec. 17 and explained that St. Louis is entertaining offers for Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk, and the interest is really picking up:
A lot of teams have been reaching out on a number of their players, Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk leading that charge in terms of generating the most interest.
Both men have been dangled about in rumors dating back to last year, and with how crazy we've seen some deals recently; the Blues could be restocking their asset cupboard something fierce.
Toronto needs to sell, not buy now because they can't afford to
Though that turns our attention to the Maple Leafs, who can't really afford to bring any of these players in. The team can't afford to outbid other teams, and the assets they can offer really aren't the needle-movers needed.
Instead, they may need to shift focus into retooling and getting rid of several players and decide to sell instead of buy.
This would allow them to get out from under some bad deals like Max Domi's and give them some assets they can actually use either in the draft or as part of a bigger package.
There are a good number of free agents coming up who could be dished off to contenders needing some extra help, and if the Maple Leafs can squeeze teams for an extra pick or prospect from the likes of Bobby McMann, Brandon Carlo, Domi, and Matias Maccelli then it'll be a win.
It won't solve all the issues going on in Toronto, as the stars need to do some serious thinking about what they're currently offering the team and how to fix it.
But if the Maple Leafs have truly decided to wave the white flag on this season, they would be doing a disservice to themselves if they stood pat and didn't do anything; either buying or selling.