The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly exploring the trade market to improve their roster. In a recent one report from De Fourth PeriodIt was noted that general manager Brad Treliving wants to add both a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman.
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Considering how the Maple Leafs’ season has gone so far, it makes sense why they would want to look outside. It’s clear they’re missing a top-six scoring winger to play alongside Auston Matthews. Additionally, with Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo still out, the blue line has taken a hit and is in need of a reliable top-four defenseman. The question now becomes who they could realistically target.
Maple Leafs explore trade market
If the Maple Leafs explore the trade market, it also means they are likely shopping some players to use in potential deals. A few names emphasized by The Fourth Period including Matias Maccelli, who I recently wrote about after I was linked to the Boston Bruins by Elliotte Friedmanas well as Max Domi, who has failed to live up to expectations during his time in Toronto.
None of these players will make a big return on their own, but they can be used in what are often called hockey trades. Deals where teams exchange players who could benefit from a change of scenery or who are better suited to a different role.
The Fourth Period also mentioned some potential targets that could be of interest to Treliving and the Maple Leafs. One name that came up was Mason Marchment of the Seattle Kraken. This is what they said:
“The Maple Leafs attempted to acquire Mason Marchment in the offseason before he was dealt to the Seattle Kraken, and he is still believed to be of interest, as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported this weekend.”
Another name mentioned was Rasmus Andersson, who was also linked to Toronto earlier this week by TSN insider Pierre LeBrun. LeBrun said:
“One thing I should mention is that among the teams that have returned to Rasmus Andersson are the Toronto Maple Leafs. We know that the Leafs tried to trade for Andersson at the deadline last year, and the reason why I mentioned Toronto is that I understand that the Leafs would be one of those teams that Andersson might consider expanding with, if a trade between those two teams actually works out.”
If the Maple Leafs were to pursue Marchment, the asking price likely wouldn’t be overly expensive. A package involving Domi or Maccelli could be enough to get a deal done. However, acquiring Andersson would be much more complicated. That kind of trade would likely come at a significant cost, and Ben Danford would almost certainly be part of the conversation. That’s not an easy pill to swallow, especially when you look back on the Carlo acted last seasonwith Fraser Minten leaving the organization. If Treliving wants to make another big move, he’ll have to be careful with the assets he gives up, especially with the Maple Leafs still sitting on the outside of a playoff spot.
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The fact that the Maple Leafs are exploring the trade market shows how motivated they are to attempt a turnaround this season. If that weren’t the case, they could consider this year an offseason and potentially position themselves for a high draft pick, extending their competitive window.
Instead, it seems like they want to exhaust their options and resolve things now. While playoff hockey in Toronto is always exciting, there is also an argument for taking a step back, addressing the roster issues properly and coming back stronger next season.
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