Maple Leafs Eyeing Blue-Line Splash, Not a Band-Aid, Says Insider

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are open to another move, and insider Elliotte Friedman hints it won’t be a small one. After another loss — now (3-4-2) and last place in the Atlantic Division –and with key injuries starting to affect the roster, GM John Chayka is ready to swing big to find a game-changing defenseman or get younger.

Speaking on the latest edition of Saturday Headlines, Friedman reported that Toronto is prepared to part with a “premium asset” in exchange for a “difference-maker” on the blue line. “They’ve made it very clear they are not interested in a Band-Aid solution,” Friedman said, adding that the club won’t move what it considers A assets for a B-level replacement.

Friedman didn’t name names, but speculation has already begun. The first-round pick acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Nic Roy trade is a strong candidate to be involved. Prospects and young players such as Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, Tinus Luc Koblar and Tyler Hopkins could also draw interest from rival general managers. Darren Dreger echoed the sentiment, saying Toronto isn’t after a depth defenseman but one who will “move the needle.”

Toronto Wants to Get Younger

The second part of Friedman’s report points to the kind of trade Toronto would like to make. The Leafs have indicated they’d consider swapping “an older guy for a younger” player. That could lower the likelihood of someone like Cowan or Danford being traded. Given that the team wants to lower the average age of its roster, Toronto’s more likely to shop Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, and Troy Stecher on defense and consider other options for players in their 30s.

Of course, many of these players have trade protection. Even if there was a market, a deal is easier said than done.

Toronto’s defense is also among the oldest in the NHL, and a lack of mobility was evident even before Chris Tanev’s injury. Finding more mobile defensemen will be a priority, but those players don’t grow on trees. Those that are out there aren’t readily available.

Who Might the Maple Leafs Be Looking at Adding?

The criteria for a trade like this makes it challenging to envision who the Leafs might have their sights set on. Calgary’s Zach Whitecloud has been mentioned as a target, but he isn’t exactly young, and he might not fit the game-changer label.

Of course, Toronto also moved its biggest trade chip when it traded Matthew Knies. Teams aren’t about to take on Toronto’s aged players just to do them a favor.

What the Leafs have up their sleeves remains to be seen, but now we know what the kind of trade they’re trying to pull off.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Jets, Red Wings & Canadiens