The Leafs' trade deadline stance sounds set, and it narrows Brad Treliving's next moves fast

Difficulties once again for the Leafs, who are attempting to navigate once again challenging injury circumstances, but a new report indicates the Leafs goal isn't to deviate from their plans to contend.

Having been dealt injuries to William Nylander, Anthony Stolarz, & Chris Tanev among the current Leafs on the sidelines, Toronto is dealing with two additional new injury concerns.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period and was ruled out with a lower-body injury, but Toronto was dealt a surprise as fellow defenseman Brandon Carlo was reported to have an unknown injury tweak, reported earlier today.

Despite these recent setbacks for the Leafs, who currently sit just outside the NHL's playoff picture, new info shared says that the Leafs goal isn't to deviate from going all-in, even amid a growing health worry.

According to a report from Nick Kypreos, the Toronto Maple Leafs do not plan to become sellers with their recent injury problems, Toronto already having decided that their goal is to be contenders.

Kypreos also said that he views the Leafs taking calls on their pending unrestricted free agents, Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann, as appearing at this stage to be highly unlikely.

Toronto's goal, as Kypreos outlines, is to focus on being a competitive team, the goal being to overcome their injury problems and focus on the playoffs rather than focus on potentially tanking.

A point out from the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, Toronto has little reason to shift their plans going into the next few weeks, even as injuries challenge the roster with multiple key players out.

The Leafs didn't steer their plans around when they had major injury losses earlier in the season, and it doesn't appear things will change this time around.

One issue the Leafs would have with tanking is that their 2026 first round pick is only top-five protected. Toronto tanking, but finishing sixth in the draft lottery, would make their decision not to contend a mistaken one.

For Brad Treliving, winning is the only option for the Toronto Maple Leafs, regardless of how much of their roster they can afford to be without.

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