Although the Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling right now, a new report shows that they are still targeting ways to improve the roster despite tension in the lineup.
It's been months of chatter about who or what the Maple Leafs are going to trade for when it comes to making a splash. They have been linked to a top-four defenseman, a top-six forward, a backup goaltender, a playmaker for Auston Matthews; they want youth, they want offense, but they also want dependability.
It's a tricky road to navigate and right now, it's probably the most envious part of Brad Treliving's job in recent days, and he seems dead set on trying to improve the team regardless of the circumstances.
Maple Leafs still looking to add despite being in the basement
David Pagnotta confirmed that Treliving is more than likely still going to pursue some pieces even if there's trouble in paradise, and mentioned the pieces the team is still looking at.
Speaking on the First Shift Podcast, Pagnotta revealed the Maple Leafs' game plan when it comes to the trade market:
They're looking at every area; how they can bring in somebody that can fit the top six; at the same time seeing if they can get a little bit more stable...mobile on the back end.
Granted, the Maple Leafs don't really have the assets to facilitate a big trade without stripping down their future or their current team, though at this point and time that might not be the worst idea in the world; this team needs some serious change.
Who could Toronto feasibly target?
But now the question turns to who can the Maple Leafs actually afford? We have seen the prices for middle of the road players like Mason Marchment and Philip Danault set, and even then it's getting pricey for Toronto.
With that being said, they do have a couple of options if they wanted to go after specifically a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman.
Owen Tippett has been a bit of a wildcard in Philadelphia but has proven to be an efficient and consistent 20-goal scorer who can definitely chip in on the playmaking end, is only 26 and is signed through until 2031-32; he's the team's next long-term piece.
While that will command a lot, a package involving a couple of solid picks, Matias Maccelli, and Brandon Carlo should be enough to give Philly enough to satisfy their need for NHL-ready talent and set them up with a couple pieces.
Tippett has 206 points in 381 games; he was drafted 10th overall by the Flyers in 2017.
On the backend, they could target Pavel Mintyukov, who has been pushed out of the lineup in Anaheim. He is only 22, a great puck-mover, still a big body on the ice at 6'1, 210 pounds, and isn't afraid to put his body on the line.
He has 56 points in 163 games so far with the Ducks in his career (13 goals, 43 assists); much like Tippett he was also drafted 10th overall; in 2022 by the Ducks.
With names like Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger taking over his spot in the lineup alongside their veterans like Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba, he's not gotten the chance he probably deserves.
Coming to Toronto he instantly becomes their spark plug, and can move Morgan Rielly off the #1 pairing. It's time. If you can move Jake McCabe up with him, and slide in Chris Tanev beside Troy Stecher once he returns, it's not the worst group:
Mintyukov - McCabe
Rielly - Ekman-Larsson
Tanev - Stetcher
That leaves Simon Benoit as your extra and you can say goodbye to Philippe Myers for good. Then when Dakota Mermis gets healthy he is a great eight defenseman to have in a pinch.
Either way, Brandon Carlo is going back the other way and the package would be similar to the one offered for Tippett, but it might take a bit more given that he's so young and has a lot of potential.
But while there are two names, and potentially dozens more the Maple Leafs could go after, if they don't fix their internal problems first then it won't matter who they bring in.