The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to begin their season in the post-Olympic portion of the schedule. And almost every game must be won. Well, close to it. It is estimated that they will need to win about two-thirds of their remaining 25 games to make the playoffs. They are currently six points behind.
But should his postseason prospects really be considered based on what the front office does at the upcoming trade deadline? Most believe it should not matter. And from the latest reports from some notable insiders, it doesn't look like that will be the case.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, GM Brad Traveling & Co. No Going “all-in” as a buyer. Nor will they be outright sellers. Extensions will not be given priority for pending UFAs. But what those potential deals could mean in the future will be.
This is less about Toronto's playoff chances and more about the cost effectiveness of actually moving certain players like Bobby McMann and Scott Lawton. Therefore the decisions are pending.
But what I'm told is that there is a plan in place, and Brad Treliving and hockey operations for the Maple Leafs are going to follow that plan. They are not going to pursue expensive expansion.
It will be notable and interesting, given that we have some time, if Toronto closes the (playoff) gap and they have to make a call on these pending unrestricted free agents. They can't let them roam free, so the next several days could be interesting.
As Dreger says, what if the Buds pick up right where they left off before the break, and go on a three-game winning streak? Or win most of the six remaining games before the March 6 deadline? At that time, they will have to take some big decisions.
Do the Leafs replace UFAs with assets they can flip?
Insider Elliotte Friedman, appearing on NHL Network Radio Wednesday morning, has a different take on things. This appears to suggest that there are plans to move some players in order to acquire assets for a future-focused move.
My thought about what's going on with Toronto is I think they're in a situation where they're trying to accumulate assets, and then see if they can utilize some of those assets and do something where they can have more of an impact on a young player... I think that's their thought.
Of course, the Leafs are largely deprived of the above “assets”. Due to raiding prospects and the draft picks pantry over the past few years, they do not have any first-round picks in the 2026 or 2027 NHL drafts. They also traded away a top prospect in Fraser Minton in the Brandon Carlo deal last year (and we all know how that worked out).
So it makes sense that spending more money on players like McMann and Laughton – good role players who have performed their duties well this season – probably doesn't make sense at this point. Instead, they will try to turn guys 30 years old or closer into draft picks who can then be flipped. Bring back a young player they can build around. A guy who could potentially play a bigger role in the near future than McMann or Laughton (or anyone else traded for them).
Toronto faces a tough Florida doubleheader over the next few days – at Tampa Bay on Wednesday night, and against the Panthers on Thursday. After that, it's matchups with the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers that get them to the deadline.
