The Maple Leafs have a clear priority as trade conversations continue
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to TSN's Darren Dreger on Insider Trading, the Maple Leafs have prioritized what they want to improve on if they are looking to make a deal this year.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be under the microscope from now until the trade deadline because if there's any team who is under pressure to make improvements ahead of a playoff push - it's the blue and white.
They would love to add some help up front for Auston Matthews, and they could be in the market for a backup goaltender especially if there are concerns about Anthony Stolarz going forward but who knows what Brad Treliving is going to be planning.
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However, TSN's Darren Dreger has an idea of where the Maple Leafs are headed and it has to do with making sure they have insurance on their backend.
Appearing for TSN's Insider Trading on Jan 6, Dreger explained that Treliving would love to make sure that he has help on defense but that he may have a little bit of a tough time doing so:
Yeah, sure, they're having conversations about players that they might be able to add down the road up front. But the primary focus right now is on their blue line. And I think that Leafs fans can appreciate why that would be.
The problem that Treliving has right now, like a lot of general managers looking for defence, is that the market is thin.
We're talking about older defence, perhaps the end of their run, and third pairing guys. So, there hasn't been a fit that surfaced just yet.
The problem that Treliving has right now, like a lot of general managers looking for defence, is that the market is thin.
We're talking about older defence, perhaps the end of their run, and third pairing guys. So, there hasn't been a fit that surfaced just yet.
There have been reports that veterans like Luke Schenn and Justin Faulk could be in play, and given that the Maple Leafs don't have a lot of premium assets; they would be able to land at least one of the older guys floating around the market.
Who makes the most sense for Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs?
Knowing that Toronto doesn't have a lot to work with, someone like Schenn would make a lot of sense. It would be his third time with the team and he's shown that he can be a great asset even late into his career.
Spending four seasons with Toronto from 2008-2012, Schenn made his way all over the league before landing back here in 2022-23 for a playoff push. He was able to stabilize Morgan Rielly and was a key part in Toronto getting past round one.
He makes only $2.75-million, is a free agent, and knows not only the pressure of playing in Toronto but has a lot of familiarity with his former teammates and head coach.
Now, a player like Faulk would also make a lot of sense given that the team needs some extra puck-movement but he comes at a much higher cost both in cap hit and asset cost (and get lucky they aren't on his 15-team no trade list).
But the lack of assets means that if Brad Treliving wants to really improve his blueline he may need to do it with minimal assets, but thankfully he's got a couple of options at his disposal.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 11|1000 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs have a clear priority as trade conversations continue Do you think Brad Treliving should target a forward, defenseman, or backup goalie? | ||
| Forward | 168 | 16.8 % |
| Defenseman | 654 | 65.4 % |
| Goaltender | 29 | 2.9 % |
| All Of The Above | 149 | 14.9 % |
| List of polls | ||