Maple Leafs making 'a lot of trade calls' as NHL trade activity picks up
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are revealed as being currently active trade buyers, according to a report from the Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
With multiple injuries impacting the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, the Leafs have previously indicated that trades aren't imminent, but things may be changing.
According to a report from insider Frank Seravalli, the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams already eyeing available options on the trade market.
Seravalli also names the Nashville Predators as a team looking at moves, but Seravalli says there's a lack of a trade market right now.
The move comes as the league's winter roster freeze commences on December 19th, leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs with a short window to get a trade done right away.
What The Toronto Maple Leafs goals might look like
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked in a few areas already in terms of trade rumors, but with no certainty over what specifically Toronto is looking for.
One area that has emerged as a question mark is in net. Injuries to the Leafs tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have led to questions over Toronto potentially looking for an instant stopgap.
So far, Toronto has been led in Stolarz & Woll's absences by rookie Dennis Hildeby, who has done well taking the starting role so far, making the need for a goaltender less urgent.
Having been linked to the Leafs last season, St. Louis Blues Brayden Schenn has re-emerged in trade rumors as a potential option again for the Leafs bottom-six.
Toronto could be in line to add in either the top-six or bottom-six, with both being areas where things aren't locked in entirely for the Leafs roster.
Why defense might be the real key addition for Toronto
While adding forwards is the most discussed area of improvement for Toronto, the more realistic area to add could be on defense.
The Leafs blueline is hindered due to injuries on their top-four with Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo out, the latter potentially headed for surgery.
Defense could be an addition for Toronto regardless of the timeline of Tanev and Carlo with questions over the Leafs blueline depth.
The Troy Stecher waiver claim has been a welcome surprise after strong performances in early games for Toronto, but the Leafs could be in line to add depth wise.
With a lack of marquee prospects and top picks, Toronto may be lacking some of the potential top trade targets this year, but still have clear areas of need that could soon be finalized, even if the market doesn't make it easy.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 993 ANSWERS Maple Leafs making 'a lot of trade calls' as NHL trade activity picks up What is the biggest trade need for Toronto? | ||
| Forward | 351 | 35.3 % |
| Defense | 546 | 55 % |
| Goalie | 96 | 9.7 % |
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