Leafs GM Brad Treliving reportedly blocking Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade in search of 'perfect' deal
Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
According to Darren Dreger, the reason the Maple Leafs haven't pulled the trigger on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson deal is due to Brad Treliving's decision-making.
As the trade deadline creeps up on NHL teams, there isn't much time to make a decision regarding whether or not to deal certain players. For the Maple Leafs, that means they have limited opportunity to get things sorted out before March 6th hits.
That means if the team is going to trade a player like Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- who could potentially bring back a wildly lucrative package, then they have to make a decision soon lest they wait too long to find the right deal.
Toronto not feeling an OEL trade as deadline quickly approaches
Unfortunately, that decision might not come in time according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Dreger reported that because of Brad Treliving's insistence that he find the perfect deal for the Maple Leafs, he has yet to pull the trigger on Ekman-Larsson:
Nobody has offered anything that has the attention of Brad Treliving on OEL.
This contrasts the report earlier from Bob Stauffer which claimed the Maple Leafs had a first-round pick on the table for the veteran blueliner. If that's not good enough for Treliving it's hard to imagine what's going to satiate him at this point.
While there is no confirmation that Toronto had a deal in place for OEL or that they aren't thinking of trading him, this just adds to the about-face the Maple Leafs have done regarding a potential teardown.
Why not trading Ekman-Larsson is a bad idea
Ekman-Larsson, 34, has been putting in a throwback performance this season with 35 points in 60 games (8 goals, 27 assists) but has cooled off since his serious hot streak earlier in the year.
He would be perfect for any contender as he doesn't make a ton of money, is a Stanley Cup champion, and clearly still has the offensive capability even as he enters the twilight of his career.
In addition to this report, it was also reported that the team was unsure about whether or not to trade or extend Bobby McMann regardless of a hometown discount, and the fact they might now be missing out on another chance to restock their draft pool is another blemish on Treliving.
This season is a wash, and there's no reason to keep an aging, albeit solid player especially if the team isn't going to be competitive over the next couple of seasons.
If Toronto does nothing and stands pat at the deadline, there is going to be a firestorm of fan backlash and it's all but assuredly going to call for the end of Treliving with the Maple Leafs.
It probably should at that point though, because if the team's GM refuses to make trades to make the team better regardless if it's not, next year, or five years down the line, then why is he running the team?
With no real clear direction in place, and seemingly no real interest in making deals that aren't perfect, it might be an even longer and more frustrating season for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their loyal (for now) fans.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 2|663 ANSWERS Leafs GM Brad Treliving reportedly blocking Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade in search of 'perfect' deal Do you think the Maple Leafs will move Oliver Ekman-Larsson at the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 470 | 70.9 % |
| No | 193 | 29.1 % |
| List of polls | ||