Maple Leafs' back-to-back losses shift trade deadline outlook as selling talk grows

With a three game win streak going into the Olympic break, not to mention an Auston Matthews gold medal to boost their chances, Toronto headed into the latter half of the season with a wave of confidence and a great chance to come in strong heading into the trade deadline -- where they'd potentially be buying.

But after a two-game losing streak and being outscored 9-3, this is a team that looks like they should be selling high on whatever assets they have left, and now it is almost assuredly time to start doling out deals.

There was talk previously about perhaps Toronto buying in on a player like Robert Thomas or Jordan Kyrou, but at this point why would you? This is a team that is more than just a player away from contending, and needs a full teardown at least when it comes to the backend.

Morgan Rielly won't be dealt now but should be in the summer. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has term but could garner a prospect and a first round pick so why hold onto a soon-to-be 35 year old defender?

Brandon Carlo can give Toronto the potential to get two picks, meanwhile depth guys like Philippe Myers and Simon Benoit could be on the outs too.

Then up front you have to think that any pending free agents are going to be dealt. That means Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Matias Maccelli, and Calle Jarnkrok are all likely to be gone too.

McMann has garnered the most interest overall, and with talks about Toronto wanting to get an extension done; they have to weigh the benefits and consequences. McMann isn't taking a discount it sounds like, and is there any guarantee he's a 20-30 goal scorer at 35 years old? None whatsoever.

Then, you have Elliotte Friedman's report that Toronto is essentially being too picky and since they don't like any deals, they'd rather gamble on the chance to get who they want instead of getting something instead of nothing:

Keith Pelley's letter to season ticket holders referred to the front office doing 'whatever is necessary' to help the team win.

Is being picky and essentially stalling because you're scared of getting fleeced again a good option? Somehow getting nothing at the end of the day if these players walk is a safer option for Pelley, but is that really 'whatever is necessary?'

They haven't made a trade since the summer, they have glaring holes everywhere, bad contracts, and you can't blame injuries on the fact the team played invisible the first 25 games of the year.

The more the team does nothing, the more fan outrage and backlash they're going to get. When you have staunch loyalists turning their backs due to mismanagement, it's time to look in the mirror.

If he really wants to help the team out and win, then he needs to restock his assets and either use them to improve the team now, or bite the bullet and take a couple years to reassess.

The last time that happened it ended up with Auston Matthews falling into their lap, and a decade later, perhaps the same strategy that landed him previously will be the one that Toronto revisits down the line.

But right now, if the Maple Leafs decided to stand pat with their assets and keep pushing for a playoff spot, not only will they be disappointed but also empty-handed yet again with even less leverage than they had before.

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