Yahoo Sports 'It's Not Fantasy Hockey': How Maple Leafs' GM Brad Treliving Intends To Approach The NHL Trade Deadline
Although the NHL trade deadline is less than two months away, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was quick to point out that browsing the marketplace to improve his club is ongoing.
"I know a lot gets made at the deadline, but you're always looking at ways that you can improve your team, right? You know, and it's not always just external".
The Maple Leafs were riddled with injuries at the forward position and that gave the Leafs GM an extended look at players like Fraser Minten, Nikita Grebenkin among others.
But now that the club is healthy, Toronto has been linked to looking at possibly improving their depth at the center position.
The Leafs recently concluded amateur and pro scout meetings. But are the Leafs in win-now mode and ready to part with assets or is it just a move to tinker?
"It's not fantasy hockey, you got to see what's available," Treliving said in a media availability following Leafs practice on Monday. "You need to have those good young players on entry-level deals and lower money. Those help you be successful as well, too. So it's a balance, but we'll continue to look to see what the marketplace, what's available there. And then ultimately what the cost is and see if there's any fits."
Beyond Auston Matthews and John Tavares, Toronto's center depth has been adjusted and shifted. Max Domi has regularly occupied the third-line center spot. But if last season is any indication, they could be better served to move the player back to the wing.
Although Minten has looked good with the Leafs in some parts of his run with the NHL club this season, Treliving was non-committal about the prospect becoming an option down the stretch with a fully healthy roster.
According the PuckPedia.com, the Leafs currently have a little over $2.1 million in salary cap space. But that doesn't account for defenseman Jani Hakanpaa ($1.47 million nor Calle Jarnkrok ($2.1 million) on long-term injured reserve. The Leafs are also without their first-round pick in 2025, traded away two years ago in the deal that brought Jake McCabe to Toronto. Improving the team substantially might cost Toronto some picks in future years or a top prospect.
There's also the lack of certainty without knowing Mitch Marner's future. Add Tavares' and Matthew Knies, all free agents at the end of the season, and there's some question as to what Toronto can afford from a cap perspective, particularly if they want to acquire a player via trade that has some term and isn't a traditional rental player.
"You probably can throw a dart within the vicinity if they aren't signed," Treliving said when it comes to projecting the 2025-26 cap. "Certainly having guys sign gives you a little bit more, um, you know exactly what their number is. But you keep working out of that until, until there's a deal, there's not a deal."
The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline is Mar. 7. Once it passes, the Leafs will be able to expand their active roster beyond the 23-player active limit.
Players like Seattle Kraken forward, Yanni Gourde, Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Rielly and New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson are just some names the Leafs are believed to be interested in acquiring.
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