Maple Leafs front office moves suggest a trade is getting closer
Photo credit: NHL.com
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Toronto Maple Leafs' latest front office move could be leading the way for a potential trade in the near future.
It might be time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a move, as they are struggling with a 10-11-3 record and underperforming defensively -- a stark contrast to the team we saw last season.
But while there are a lot of discussions about who the team should pursue, the team has been hard at work trying to see who they can offer in a deal and analysts have discussed several names including Max Domi and Morgan Rielly.
While there is nothing to confirm that either of those players will be traded, and the Maple Leafs have not indicated as such, but one a new report reveals the team may be going beyond just some general scouting.
How Ryan Hardy's second trip to Chicago changes the trade conversation
The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs had Assistant GM Ryan Hardy in attendance to watch the Chicago Blackhawks game vs. Nashville.
The news was relayed by analyst and fan Willyston Riellander on X:
Toronto first visited Chicago when they were playing the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 12 and now with Hardy visiting the team a second time, it has sparked speculation among some fans about what Toronto might do.
This does not indicate that a deal is imminent, only that the Maple Leafs continue to evaluate their options.
Brad Treliving has previously suggested that any move would likely involve roster players going both ways, we could see players who don't necessarily fit within the system be on the outs.
With Chicago only five points out of a playoff spot in the West -- they may simply be taking a look at things as they seek to improve long-term by selling certain pieces.
What kind of player the Leafs would realistically target from Chicago
While no targets have been linked to Toronto, several players on Chicago's roster fit the general profile the Leafs have been exploring -- either a top-six player or top-four defenseman:
- Louis Crevier (24, D)
- Connor Murphy (32, D)
- Andre Burakovsky (30, RW)
- Tyler Bertuzzi (30, LW)
- Connor Murphy (32, D)
- Andre Burakovsky (30, RW)
- Tyler Bertuzzi (30, LW)
A big caveat is that three of the four players who the Maple Leafs could target have no-trade clauses which means that Toronto would need to be on the list of destinations to even get a deal done.
One positive is that none of these players are too expensive. Bertuzzi and Burakovsky both make $5.5-million, meanwhile Murphy makes $4.4-million and Crevier slides in at only $900,000.
Bertuzzi, 30, is no stranger to the Maple Leafs as he spent the 2023-24 season with Toronto. He posted 43 points in 80 games (21 goals, 22 assists) while adding 98 hits and playing above average defense.
He would fit comfortably with a Craig Berube system given his forechecking aggressiveness, and he's got experience playing alongside Auston Matthews.
This season, Bertuzzi has 20 points in 21 games (8 goals, 12 assists).
Burakovsky, 30, has been one of the more underrated yet reliable forwards one the past decade. Though his offense has slowed a bit, he still has 403 points in 715 games (160 goals, 243 assists) and a plus-38 rating.
Burakovsky has 16 points through 19 games this season.
He's also won two Stanley Cups (2018, 2022) while adding 47 points in 93 playoff games and much like Bertuzzi is a strong forechecker and a much better defensive player than Max Domi or Matias Maccelli.
Murphy, 32, is the oldest of the bunch but if there was ever a Brad Treliving player he's one of them. At 6-4, 212 pounds he is a massive body on the ice, and adds a ton of physicality and shot blocking.
He would help Toronto with their goals against, and he can offer a bit of help offensively. But he also doesn't move the puck like Toronto needs -- but right now they just have to get defensive help wherever they can find it.
Murphy has three assists in 24 games this year with Chicago and has 163 points (43 goals, 120 assists) in 769 career games with Arizona and Chicago.
Crevier, 24, is the most intriguing of the bunch given he's 6-8, nearly 230 pounds, and has barely started to reach the prime of his career. He's not a big offensive producer but so far in 79 games he has 17 points.
This season he has been stellar for the Blackhawks with 10 points in 23 games (2 goals, 8 assists), a plus-5, 18 hits and 32 blocks.
Putting him alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson would be a huge boost, allowing OEL to move to the left side as Crevier shoots right. He can also slide into any pairing whether it be with Morgan Rielly up top or Simon Benoit on the third; he's got flexibility, youth, and size.
There is no indication that Toronto is targeting any of these four players, however their skillsets, contracts, and fit within the system do make them ideal candidates if the Maple Leafs were to make a trade.
But it would certainly give the team the shakeup they're reportedly looking for, and potentially get themselves the pieces they need to get out of their slump.
All trade speculation in this story is based on public reporting and fan discussion. No players mentioned have been directly linked to Toronto unless specifically stated.
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