One key domino may need to fall before the Maple Leafs can make the trade they need
Photo credit: 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Round One
The Toronto Maple Leafs pursuit of a top trade target appears close, but one major factor needs to happen first before they can make a deal.
The potential of a trade looks it could be upon the horizon, but there's one important factor that needs to come before the Toronto Maple Leafs could pursue one of the top names on the trade market.
Reports continue to circulate in regards to Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, a player that has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs continuously throughout this past season.
Andersson's links to former Flames GM Brad Treliving make Toronto a natural team that makes sense given Treliving's familiarity and the Leafs need for defensive help especially with Chris Tanev on the shelf.
What is notable to some Flames fans is a new report from Calgary Flames reporter Ryan Francis, who has new info on the team's managing of the Andersson trade rumors.
Why new comments are could be the trade spark for the Flames
Francis shares that the Flames offer for Andersson would start with a first round pick and an NHL prospect currently in the NHL, with secondary pieces appearing likely, but not stated.
Craig Conroy's patience - the GM's biggest asset - is poised to serve the club well once again.
Nothing will re-energize the hybuild (hybrid rebuild) as much as the return Andersson is sure to fetch, which is bound to include, at the very least, a first-round draft pick, and a first-round prospect who is already contributing at the pro level.
Quite predictably, the list of teams rumoured to be interested grows daily.
Nothing will re-energize the hybuild (hybrid rebuild) as much as the return Andersson is sure to fetch, which is bound to include, at the very least, a first-round draft pick, and a first-round prospect who is already contributing at the pro level.
Quite predictably, the list of teams rumoured to be interested grows daily.
Some view the article's timing as a potential indication that a deal could be soon, even as the article commends Flames GM Craig Conroy from letting Andersson's value simmer, but could be the time the trigger is pulled.
Francis notes that it would take a first round pick plus a prospect playing in the NHL, the Leafs don't have a first until 2028, something holding Toronto's value back if Calgary's goal is to gain future assets soon.
It was reported by Leafs insider James Mirtle that the Leafs kicked tires on Andersson last year, but found the price too steep.
The obvious prospect would appear to be Easton Cowan, really the only logical fit of this specific mold, and the Leafs lack a top prospect that equals that value, Calgary appearing to want instant impact players like Vancouver got in Zeev Buium and Liam Ohgren in the Quinn Hughes trade.
It's a question what value the Toronto Maple Leafs have given what is becoming an increasingly valuable asset in Rasmus Andersson, and one that could define if the Leafs have a shot at one of the best trade options they could get.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 15|767 ANSWERS One key domino may need to fall before the Maple Leafs can make the trade they need Do the Leafs have enough to acquire Rasmus Andersson? | ||
| Yes | 184 | 24 % |
| No | 583 | 76 % |
| List of polls | ||