GM Reportedly Sets Bold Asking Price for $30 Million Forward as Leafs Monitor Situation

With the Maple Leafs looking to add another forward to their ranks, they are going to look to the trade market and whatever leftover free agents are available (looking at you, Jack Roslovic).

It's slim pickings and for a team who lacks any true assets to add that punch to their lineup, and though they've been linked to the likes of Nazem Kadri, Jared McCann, Jordan Kyrou, and Brayden Schenn; nothing has materialized as of yet and time is only ticking away.

One name who got a lot of attention previously for Toronto is Jean-Gabriel Pageau, as he was bandied about in trade rumors at the deadline with the Leafs electing to acquire Scott Laughton instead.

GM Mathieu Darche isn't exactly jumping to trade the 32-year old however, and according to a report from The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta; if you're going to want him, you'll need to pay:

It makes sense given that the Islanders have gone through a big transition already this summer, with trading Noah Dobson, bringing in Jonathan Drouin, Emil Heineman, and Maxim Shabanov, plus they are dealing with the loss of Brock Nelson; the team's heart and soul.

Keeping Pageau, who had 42 points in 79 games (14 goals, 28 assists) last season will be imperative for a team who is going to need him at his offensive best; along with Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and Simon Holmstrom.

Plus, he could take over for John Tavares in the 2C (he's a career 54.4% winner, and had 59.6% this season) meanwhile he slides to the wing and gives him a bit less pressure overall.

But if the Maple Leafs wanted to bring in Pageau to give them a ton of flexibility and defense, then they should look to deal from their surplus.

The Islanders just lost a young defenseman with a ton of promise and solid NHL experience, but if they wanted a prospect then William Villeneuve will be a great start.

A player on the cusp of making an NHL team, and faced with a logjam on the blueline, Villeneuve can help replace some of the offense lost on Dobson, and is solid enough defensively to warrant a spot (especially for a middling Islanders team).

Darche is clearly wanting to recoup as many assets as possible, and is going to squeeze as many pieces out of interested parties as he can.

The Maple Leafs have a few intriguing pieces, and if the Islanders want to change some of their DNA themselves:

They need to give Brad Treliving a call. I'm sure he'd love to add Pageau and change things up himself.