Is a Big Maple Leafs Trade Coming?: Chayka Doesn’t Go Up to “Hit Singles”

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The Toronto Maple Leafs just learned that defenseman Chris Tanev will be out week to week with an injury, leaving the organization in an interesting position. GM John Chayka may want to explore the trade market, but NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggests that he won’t make a smaller move. If the Leafs are taking a swing, it will be to hit a home run bomb.

In his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman noted that the Maple Leafs are unlikely to make changes to their defense while Chris Tanev is out. Unless a bigger opportunity presents itself, Chayka is hoping to get through this week before reassessing the team’s options

“I don’t know if a small move is on his radar right now. I think they hope they can play through it this week and see where they are over the next little bit.” He added, “Someone told me John Chayka doesn’t go up to the plate to hit singles.”

Who that means the Maple Leafs might have in their sights, if anyone, is unclear. But what Friedman is suggesting is that a trade, if made, won’t be a small one. How big a swing? Quinn Hughes? That seems unlikely. Someone like Simon Edvinsson makes more sense, assuming the Detroit Red Wings ultimately wrap their head around trading him, which interim GM Shawn Horcoff has yet to do.

Horcoff told the media this week, “I have zero interest in trading Simon Edvinsson.” He added, “Not something I’m entertaining. We want to sign him.”

Ian Cole and Zach Whitecloud have both been linked to Toronto in other reports, but that feels a bit too small based on what Friedman is suggesting.

Head coach Jim Hiller was asked about the Maple Leafs upgrading their D core via trade and said: “Not my not my job, 1st of all, and I think there’s always a lot of noise about something. So I’m not going to pay too much attention to it”

Time will tell. The Maple Leafs might need more information on the status of Tanev’s injury, which seems to be getting worse with each passing day.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Rangers, Maple Leafs & Oilers Dilemma?