Maple Leafs Need Help — But Math on Recent Rumors Don’t Add Up

The Toronto Maple Leafs want help. Fans want help. And insiders say Toronto is exploring options. But the harsh reality? The market right now might not include a single true difference-maker — and that puts the Leafs in a tough spot.

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According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, around the league, teams that should be obvious sellers aren’t in any rush. Calgary and St. Louis are both taking calls, but neither feels pressure to move quickly. Calgary, for example, has players teams want, but they know it. They’re comfortable waiting until someone pays the premium they’re looking for. St. Louis is still evaluating the landscape, trying to figure out what’s even out there before committing to any direction.

And according to multiple insiders, that’s the biggest issue for Toronto: there just aren’t impact players available.

Even the rumors that briefly swirled around big names like Tage Thompson were quickly put to bed. Buffalo has no interest in moving a cornerstone player.

Friedman summed it up when he said, “If you really want a difference-maker who’s available… there don’t seem to be many.”

For the Maple Leafs, Does It Even Matter Who They Add?

Friedman also argued that Maple Leafs’ defensive issues are so glaring that adding a mid-tier forward or depth defenseman won’t fix much. Until Toronto commits to playing consistently structured, responsible hockey, they’re going to keep looking like the same flawed team.

And while the Leafs continue to be linked to names like Rasmus Andersson, the math just doesn’t add up. Toronto pushed hard for the Flames defender last year and still came up short. Calgary placed a “Toronto tax” on any deal, and there’s no reason to believe that price has gone down.

Friedman said the same thing of Brayden Schenn, who the Leafs pushed for last season. The price was reportedly so high, the Leafs had little choice but to move on and say, “We’re not doing that.”

Simply put: if the Leafs couldn’t afford these players last season, they aren’t suddenly able to now.

The Maple Leafs Don’t Have the Assets to Fix Their Issues

Both Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas admitted that Toronto’s asset pool is shallow. Draft picks have been spent to get players who aren’t making a huge difference for them. Draft picks and prospects were used last season in pursuit of targets like Scott Laughton or Brandon Carlo — deals that ultimately haven’t paid off.

Bukauskas said, “…those aren’t around anymore to utilize, and it’s like you’re either the chips are in the middle of the poker table or you’re folding. You can’t keep the chips to the side and say I would really like to see the River card…”

The Maple Leafs either have to push all in or fold.

Toronto needs help. Everyone sees it. But with a thin market, sky-high prices, and limited assets, the Leafs may be stuck waiting — whether they want to or not.

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