Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Is a big trade approaching?

By Omar L

Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Air Canada Centre is seen before the start of a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Air Canada Centre is seen before the start of a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Rumours are all around the NHL as the trade freeze approaches and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs could make a big move.

Many have been referring to June as the “NHL silly season” because of the approaching Expansion Draft. Saturday June 17th at 3:00 pm will be the start of the trade freeze. That would be the last chance a team has to trade a player they may otherwise lose to Las Vegas for free.

The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t have any tough decisions to make, but can take advantage of teams that do.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had some interesting things to say regarding the trade freeze on Friday when he appeared onSportsnet’s the Fan 590. In particular about the Leafs saying:

"It would not surprise me if they pull out something big that has all of us going, “okay, we’re not sure if we really saw that, but not surprised it happened.”"

More from Tip of the Tower

The Leafs have been linked to many names in the past week. To name a few, Sami Vatanen, Josh Manson, and Mark Pysyk. However, with the sealed atmosphere of the organization, there could be others. The Jonathan Drouin for Mikhail Sergachev deal could be what opens the flood gates.

One thing to keep in mind is the Leafs will not want to impact their expansion situation too much. Meaning, if they were to take a player in a deal that would need to be protected, a player going the other way would need to be, too. If it’s a package deal Leafs fans will be looking forward to, it may be Connor Carrick, Kerby Rychel, or even Brendan Leipsic going the other way.

It would be unwise to say the Leafs are in a window to win right now. They can, however, do something special in the next two years with the cap space they will still have. William Nylander is entering the final year of his entry-level contract, while Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have another two years left.

Next: Will Ontario players return home to play for the Leafs?

The Leafs were able to make the playoffs without having the best blue line. If what Friedman says is true, fans can expect more from the team next year. It’s no telling what the addition of an impact defenceman can do, but it’s clear need for this team.

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs