During the Brad Treliving era in Toronto, the Maple Leafs wanted Brayden Schenn, but the St. Louis Blues hit the team with an absurd asking price.
Brad Treliving made some bad deals during his time as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. His moves for Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton are certainly a stain on his tenure, and fans have not forgiven him for giving up those picks.
However, in 2025, when it seemed like the Leafs were bona fide Cup contenders, they were going after Brayden Schenn. At the time, Schenn was the captain of the St. Louis Blues and wanted to play with his brother, Luke.
The Leafs wanted to make this happen. Unfortunately, the Blues were driving a hard bargain, as documented by Elliotte Friedman.
In fact, negotiations got so bad that the Blues were asking for Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, and a draft pick. It was the kind of audacious asking price that even Brad Treliving couldn't justify.
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In retrospect, it's a good thing the Leafs did not do this. Easton Cowan has been an absolute stud for the Leafs this season. One could argue he has been the best player on the team.
Meanwhile, Ben Danford has been solid as ever for the Toronto Marlies, and it looks like he is eventually going to become a star for the franchise.
Had the Maple Leafs made this trade at the 2025 trade deadline, they would have looked like complete suckers in the long run.
Regardless, Brad Treliving ended up leaving the team, and his decisions remain some of the most bizarre in the Leafs' franchise's recent history.
Laughton and Carlo are long gone at this point and never amounted to the players that Maple Leafs fans were ever hoping for.
As for Schenn, he now plays for the New York Islanders, and as an aging forward, he is no longer the players truly need.
Do you believe the Maple Leafs should have made this trade?
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