Maple Leafs Must Capitalize On Metropolitan Rival Following Elliotte Friedman's Latest Report

Elliotte Friedman reported during the 'Saturday Headlines' segment on Hockey Night in Canada that the New York Rangers are "open for business" in terms of trading away top assets, signaling the team's willingness to move on with the Rangers just outside of a playoff spot.

One player who could be of a massive interest to teams from the Rangers is Chris Kreider. The 33-year-old Kreider has 10 goals and 11 points in 26 games this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, looking for offense, could be a team interested in Kreider's services, although at the trade deadline seems highly unlikely.

It seems more likely the Leafs would rather wait until the offseason when they will have more cap space to work with.

The Rangers, close but not out from the playoff picture, likely don't want to sell Kreider just yet, and the team's focus seems to be on Mika Zibanejad.

Zibanejad, 31, has six goals, 15 assists and 21 points in 29 games for the New York Rangers this season, but has struggled with his mental health throughout the year.

While reports have surfaced about Kreider being a trade target for teams, Toronto's lack of cap space may have Kreider, who is making $6.5M annually until 2028; be too rich for the Leafs, and far out of their range if the Rangers want a top prospect in return.

The Toronto Maple Leafs don't have a first round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, meaning a top prospect would headline a return, assuming there's retention involved.

The Rangers biggest needs are on defense and at center. The two big defensive options that could headline a deal are Noah Chadwick and Ben Danford.

The New York Rangers took RHD EJ Emery one pick before Danford, a player who the Leafs had interest in potentially drafting as well; both are defensively minded blueliners.

A center like Fraser Minten could also be a headliner in a deal, both players also a part of a deal for other pieces plus a salary dump contract, though Toronto may want to keep Minten if they're in win-now mode.

It's a major question if the Leafs would want to pay a premium price for an aging forward having a difficult season making $6.5M for the next few years, but somebody will be willing to pay up to target Kreider who is still a top-six asset for just about any team in the league.