Maple Leafs Reportedly Discussed 1-for-1 Trade Scenario with Sabres

Though the Buffalo Sabres ended up trading JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan, there were several potential teams that could have used the explosive potential of Peterka.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of those teams, and with the reports coming out that the the team wants to still add a top-six forward to their ranks, he would have made the perfect fit, and also added a new wrinkle to one of the biggest rivalries in modern day hockey.

Toronto would have had to put together such a rich package for the chance to get Peterka, given his age and potential, right?

Well, according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, the Maple Leafs could have had him for Brandon Carlo:

Carlo being traded twice in just a few months would have been a bit jarring no doubt, but the fact Toronto could have had Peterka potentially alongside Auston Matthews and didnt pull the trigger is a bit perplexing.

Instead, the Sabres added Kesselring; a 6'5, 215-pound right handed shooting defenseman as well as Doan, the son of Coyotes legend Shane Doan.

Carlo's name has been thrown around recently in trade rumors as Toronto tries to add some firepower up front, however NHL Insider David Pagnotta believes that Carlo is here to stay:

Carlo is exactly the type of defenseman that Toronto has been looking for to pair with Morgan Rielly, and the fact that he's only 28, on a cheap deal, and has the passion and grit that's almost mandatory in a Craig Berube system means he's worth holding onto.

Acquired at the trade deadline from Boston for Fraser Minten and two draft picks, Carlo skated in 20 games for the Maple Leafs, registering three assists, 38 blocks and 26 hits in 19:13 TOI.

In 82 games split between Boston and Toronto, Carlo had 12 points, 157 blocks and 90 hits in 18:54 TOI.