Maple Leafs Cross One Team Off Trade List After Insider Update
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs can cross off a fellow Canadian rival as a potential trade candidate thanks to an update from NHL Insider David Pagnotta.
If things are going to pick up during the NHL offseason at least in terms of trades and some more free agent signings, they better pick up quick as we're nearing the end of July with several players still unsigned and teams still needing to make moves.
Toronto looking for trade partners, but cross Edmonton off the list
The Maple Leafs are expected to still make some type of move still, and although they have been linked to several high-profile names, they might lack the assets to put a trade together.
With Brad Treliving needing scoring, and perhaps some more offense still on his back end, he's gotta do some heavy lifting and scout everyone possible who could help, though he'll need to scratch one team off.
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, who appeared on the Melnick in the Afternoon show, explained that the Edmonton Oilers are a team who are out of the mix in terms of a potential deal, and the general sentiment around the league is that there's no rush to get something done:
Chicago is looking to add; Oilers are...kind of looking around; a lot of teams are looking; buyer's market, things slow down; the urgency just isn't there for teams to get rid of guys.
Though there aren't a lot of names that Toronto could target off the Oilers, or granted, even the Blackhawks at this point, the team still has options regardless.
Toronto may have lost one partner, but still have a lot of chances to add
If they still felt like a trade was necessary, they could try and package someone like Nick Robertson and William Villeneuve for a player like Yegor Chinakhov; a disgruntled young forward out of Columbus.
But there are still two free agent options available up front in Jack Roslovic and Victor Olofsson. We know Roslovic's price, and he's being incredibly patient, and if Toronto can find some way to dump a deal like David Kampf's off somewhere, it'll make the free agency route a bit easier.
The Leafs have done well to try and work by committee in replacing Mitch Marner, and they still have a teeny bit of cap space to work with, though if Nick Robertson wins his arbitration case that may disappear.
However the team still needs a top-six option, and for as painful as it may be, going all-in might be the smartest move they'll make this offseason.
TRENDING NOW
