NHL Rumor Roundup: Maple Leafs Search For A Center, Red Wings Linked To Dylan Cozens

With the NHL's March 7 trade deadline less than two months away, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is making plans to add to his roster.

Treliving told reporters on Monday that he'd like to bolster his depth at center. He also acknowledged there are probably another “15 to 18 other teams” seeking the same thing, calling it “the position du jour.”

The Toronto Star's Kevin McGran observed the Maple Leafs are using Max Domi as their third-line center, but he's best used as a winger. They've also tried Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf and promising Fraser Minten in that position. Like all GMs, Treliving isn't tipping his hand about which centers around the NHL have caught his eye.

McGran speculates the Leafs trade targets could include Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators, Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks and Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Hockey Club. The Athletic's Joshua Kloke also suggested Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken.

Laughton, O'Reilly and Strome are signed beyond this season, while Bjugstad and Gourde are UFA-eligible this summer.

Kloke's colleague Kevin Kurz reported last week that it doesn't appear Laughton is available, citing a Flyers source claiming they don't have much interest in moving him. O'Reilly lacks no-trade protection, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Predators are treating him as though he has a no-movement clause.

Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On The Predators, Bruins And Islanders

Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens remains a fixture in the trade rumor mill.

During last Friday's 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman claimed the Sabres and Detroit Red Wings scouted each other heavily before last month's Christmas holidays. He indicated that word got out that the Wings were looking at Cozens.

Friedman said he didn't know where things stand or how far things had gotten, but he said a couple of sources claimed a deal had been close.

Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News acknowledged Cozens' name is circulating in the rumor mill because so many teams are inquiring about his availability. However, he cites a team source saying they're not shopping the 23-year-old center.

Related: Five Maple Leafs Who Could Be Trade Options In The New Year

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