The Maple Leafs have found themselves in a difficult situation as the March 8 trade deadline approaches.
Defence could be the top position to upgrade but with minimal assets to offer, this could be a problem.
Although Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving will hopefully look to make new acquisitions to bolster the team, many fans have mixed opinions on how to successfully operate this year’s deadline. But he keeps his thoughts and moves close to his chest.
But fans have ideas about who could be helpful for the Leafs.
Maple Leafs celebrating a team win during outdoor practice at Nathan Phillips Square on Feb. 8. Photo credit: Luca Tersigni
Die-hard Leafs fan Joseph Mendolia said as long as the core four remain together, being aggressive at the trade deadline is a must.
“When you have guys like Marner, Matthews and Nylander in their primes, I think you have no choice but to go all in every season,” he said.
“I’m fine with letting go of prospects and picks, as long as the players we get have term or can be re-signed,” Mendolia said.
Last season, former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas traded away a variety of premium assets for mostly rental players such as Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn.
These players had found new homes after not deciding to re-sign with Toronto this offseason.
Last deadline’s “empty the cupboards” mentality ultimately failed and has left the Maple Leafs with few premium assets to offer in trade discussions.
If the Maple Leafs GM would be willing to move this year’s first-rounder for a non-rental type player, defenceman Mario Ferraro from the San Jose Sharks could be linked with Toronto, as many teams could be considering his services on the blue-line.
Ferraro would still be under contract for the next three seasons at a cap hit of $3.2 million which could easily fit under the Leafs tight cap situation.
Leafs fan Nick Burgess has his eyes set on two defensemen who could potentially sign elsewhere after this season.
“If I’m the Leafs, I’m doing whatever I can to get both (Noah) Hanifin and (Chris) Tanev from Calgary. (It) should be our top priority by far,” he said.
“I know it’s gonna be hard to bring these guys back, but I want a cup now and these guys will give us a better chance at one,” Burgess said.
Both Calgary’s Hanifin and Tanev could be linked to the Blue-and-White for defensive reinforcements, but a trade of this calibre would mean giving up significant assets to acquire these top talents.
Hanifin and Tanev will both be unrestricted free agents this coming summer and will both be looking for higher pay, possibly out of affordability for Toronto.
Treliving will be faced with a hard challenge for a blockbuster trade like this to even be considered. It may include top draft picks and possibly needing to say goodbye to young talented prospects such as Nick Robertson, Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan.
Bringing in two top-tier defensemen could change the Leafs’ D-core for the better but Leafs fan Timothy Rebelo said giving up premium assets in trades might not be the best move.
“I don’t think it’s worth trading away premium assets considering how the roster is built right now and the way they’ve been playing,” he said.
“This is not a team that has been playing like a Stanley Cup contender, let alone a playoff contender,” Rebelo said.
The Maple Leafs are currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division and have not lived up to expectations put on them at the beginning of the season. That’s left many fans to wonder if they should “beLeaf” or just pray for the best.
Treliving and the Leafs organization will hopefully be busy these coming weeks as Toronto is yet to make a move.
If the Maple Leafs look to make a big move, Treliving must work the phones as the deadline soon approaches on March 8.