Maple Leafs “Widening Scope”, Make Several Names Available in Trade

The latest from Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada’s Saturday Headlines is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are slightly pivoting when it comes to their trade deadline approach. Specifically, he notes that as the March 6 deadline nears, the Leafs are widening their scope of players they’ll consider trading.

This is not to confuse any theory that Toronto is willing to move Auston Matthews or William Nylander. That said, most players will be on the table when it comes to trade conversations.

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A disappointing season that continues to get worse, Matthews called their latest performance against the Ottawa Senators embarrassing. With three straight losses coming out of the Olympic break, the Leafs appear to have little choice but to shift into seller mode. They were focused on moving pending unrestricted free agents. Now, their list of available assets includes players with term.

The immediate names that come to mind include Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Dakota Joshua, Morgan Rielly, Joseph Woll, and Anthony Stolarz.

Friedman noted, “The word around the Maple Leafs now is that they are widening their scope of what they’d consider, now I don’t think it’s anything like Matthews or Nylander or anything like that; they are talking a bit more about players with term.”

This will open the Maple Leafs up to several discussions with teams ahead of the deadline. It also represents a bit of a pivot, as their willingness to move players with term suggests they’ve taken stock of whom they see as part of their long-term future and who they don’t.

Some Names Surprising, Some Not So Much

Someone like Oliver Ekman-Larsson having his name out there won’t come as a surprise. Given his age and contract, he was a natural option for trade talks. But, if the Maple Leafs are willing to move someone like McCabe (and we don’t know if they specifically are), it reflects a real shift for the organization. He’s got a no-trade clause that shifts into a modified no-trade in a couple of seasons. However, if the Leafs go to him and let him know their intention will be to eventually move him, would he be open to a change before he’s out of his prime?

Scott Laughton is on an expiring deal. To hear he may be moved is no shock either. But what about Domi? Would the Maple Leafs shop him around, given that the market on centers and wingers with skill seems to be changing daily?

This could also mean that the Leafs are willing to take term back if term is going out. Someone like Andrew Mangiapane could be on their radar if Toronto moves out on a contract as they bring his in. Getting a sweetener in any deal with Edmonton would be a priority, but contracts out for contracts in might be part of their strategy.

Needless to say, Friedman’s update suggests there are plenty of ideas on the table in Toronto. GM Brad Treliving might not be closed off to anything and over the next few days, things could get interesting.

Next: Analyst Calls for Nuclear Option: Trade Matthews and Nylander