Insider Expects Maple Leafs to Make Big Move Pre-Olympic Freeze

While much of the NHL appears content to wait out the Olympic roster freeze before making major trade deadline moves, the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t seem to have that luxury. At least, not according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, who wonders if the Leafs will try to pull off a bigger deal in the next couple of weeks.

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In his latest column for The Athletic, insider Pierre LeBrun notes that many buyers are leaning toward patience. The reasoning makes sense as teams want to avoid trading for a player who could be injured at the Olympics in Milan, and they also want flexibility in case one of their own players gets hurt overseas. Even with the break, the 12 days that follow the roster freeze should give GMs enough time to wheel and deal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Might Be Looking at Another Option

For Toronto, they might be thinking about making a different kind of move, potentially beating the rush of trades that follow the freeze and getting out ahead of the market. It’s a risk, but it could reap big rewards.

“As fine as that is for teams that can afford to wait,” LeBrun writes, “some teams can’t.” Injuries, inconsistent play, or the need for a season-altering move could force certain clubs to act before the freeze — even if it means paying a premium or moving earlier than planned.

Toronto fits that description.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Leafs have already renewed calls around the league in search of defensive help. Losing Chris Tanev again has only heightened that urgency. They’re starting to play better hockey, but they know there are holes to fill, and further injuries could be crippling.

The Leafs are very much in win-now mode, and waiting until after the Olympics could come with real risk. If they compete for the same players as everyone else, by March, the market could tighten, and the Leafs don’t have the same assets to offer as other contenders. Prices could rise, and Toronto’s margin for error in the standings could shrink. If management believes a legitimate top-four defenseman is available now, the incentive to move early grows significantly.

LeBrun still expects many of the league’s biggest deals to materialize after the Olympics, but Toronto may be an exception to that trend. Whether it’s a true blockbuster or a significant hockey trade, the Leafs appear far more inclined to act sooner rather than gamble on patience — especially with their defensive depth already being tested.

Next: A Second Look at the Maple Leafs’ Carlo–Laughton Trades