The Toronto Maple Leafs, by all accounts, will be buyers at this year’s trade deadline. The consensus is that the Maple Leafs still see themselves as contenders, despite dwindling playoff hopes.
The good news is that numerous players have seemingly turned things around. Matias Maccelli, once on the block, appears to be there no longer. The same goes for Morgan Rielly and Nick Robertson.
That said, insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period discussed what the Maple Leafs’ trade deadline priority seems to be. In particular, the focus is on adding to the blue line ahead of other areas.
Pagnotta wrote:
“Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving appears to be more focused on adding a right-shot defenceman than help for his top-six forward corps. He may very well add both by the deadline, but I’m told the priority is on the blueline.”
Pagnotta’s comments shouldn’t come as a major surprise. The Maple Leafs were among the suitors believed to be in on Rasmus Andersson. But with Andersson off to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs remain on the lookout for another right-shot defenseman.
However, there aren’t many options available at the moment. Another notable name linked to the Maple Leafs is New Jersey Devils blueliner Dougie Hamilton. The situation surrounding Hamilton is highly complex and unlikely to lead to a trade. The biggest issue surrounding Hamilton is his outrageous cap hit. That situation precludes the Leafs from swinging the deal.
But there may be another, less impressive option the Leafs could look into.
Maple Leafs Could Consider Reunion with Schenn
Another name that’s resurfaced in Maple Leafs trade rumors is Luke Schenn. The veteran defenseman, now with the Winnipeg Jets, has crept up on pundits’ trade targets in Toronto. However, Schenn isn’t exactly the type of right-shot blueliner the Leafs may be looking to get.
Ideally, the Maple Leafs would like to get a top-four right-shot blueliner who could play with Morgan Rielly or Oliver Ekman-Larsson. But other options like Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks and Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues don’t really fit that bill.
If the Maple Leafs can’t find the sort of player they’re looking for, they may have to settle for a lower-tier option like Murphy.
A Top-Six Forward Not Really Top Priority
Another top-six forward would be a great addition for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Someone who could play on the top line with Auston Matthews or who could complement William Nylander and John Tavares on the second unit would work well.
But such forwards are scarce, with the Leafs lacking the pieces to make a significant splash. Regardless, adding a top-six forward isn’t really a priority right now. The focus is on the blue line. And since the Maple Leafs may only be able to add one major piece, they’ll pick the blue line over the top-six.
It’s also worth pointing out that the Maple Leafs may very well sit on their hands this trade deadline season. They lack the pieces and the cap space to make anything meaningful work. That’s why the lack of moves may be more the result of circumstances than incompetence for Toronto this season.
Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Priority Revealed by Insider