Rumors abound about the Toronto Maple Leafs, with reports from The Athletic suggesting Brad Treliving has significant plans in motion ahead of NHL free agency.
As the NHL Draft approaches and free agency looms, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been diligently preparing for a busy period. According to reports from The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle, Leafs GM Brad Treliving and his team have been actively strategizing and engaging with other teams and agents. They are leaving no stone unturned as they seek to bolster their lineup through various avenues.
Interestingly, the Leafs’ primary focus is on strengthening their defense, particularly the right side, rather than prioritizing goaltending. They are exploring trade opportunities to achieve this goal, aiming to avoid overpaying in the free agent market.
Toronto’s assets available for trades include their first-round pick, as well as RFAs Timothy Liljegren and Nick Robertson, with the potential wildcard of Mitch Marner’s trade being considered. However, finding a suitable trade partner for Marner, given his cap hit and the desired return, presents a significant challenge.
In terms of free agency, the Leafs are eyeing defenseman targets like Chris Tanev, Nikita Zadorov, Brady Skjei, Brandon Montour, and Matt Roy, although Roy’s salary expectations may be high.
On the goaltending front, after missing out on Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark, the Leafs are now likely to pursue tandem goaltenders in free agency such as Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Stolarz, Kevin Lankinen, or Cam Talbot. They prefer short-term commitments to avoid hindering the development of Joseph Woll, whom they hold in high regard.
Additionally, the Leafs are looking to add depth at forward, particularly on the wing, to complement their star players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares. While they are interested in bolstering their center depth, the options in that market are limited.
Looking forward, the Leafs have significant cap space for future offseasons, providing flexibility for potential roster changes. However, their current focus remains on maximizing the potential of their core group while preparing for the upcoming season.
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