The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a significant 4-3 overtime victory against the New York Rangers on Saturday, a team recognized as one of the NHL’s top contenders. Leafs supporters have generally been pleased with Toronto’s recent impressive performance, with the team boasting a 13-3-0 record since Jan. 20.
However, speculation about potential roster adjustments leading up to the league’s March 8 trade deadline is ongoing, and Toronto has already initiated moves with their latest acquisition, defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.
Nevertheless, the Leafs find themselves among the NHL’s most financially constrained teams, possessing a mere $144,000 in salary cap space to maneuver before the trade deadline. This limitation necessitates strategic maneuvering from Buds GM Brad Treliving, as demonstrated in the recent acquisition of Lyubushkin.
In all likelihood, involving a third team to facilitate salary cap adjustments will be a recurring theme in any further trade deals for the Leafs before the deadline. Consequently, Toronto’s management is likely to sacrifice draft picks and current prospects to finalize deals this week.
It’s evident that Treliving is willing to part with one of his first-round draft picks if the player he acquires is under contract beyond the current season.
Predictability in costs holds significant importance for all GMs, and if the Leafs have the opportunity to secure a player for both short-term and long-term needs—similar to their acquisition of veteran defenseman Jake McCabe last season—they will not hesitate to do so.
Not every team will engage in high-profile trades, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Some teams believe they require only minor depth additions, recognizing that the Stanley Cup playoffs demand depth due to the challenges of attrition.
This is precisely the strategy reflected in the Lyubushkin deal; while he may not be a standout first, second, or third star of the game, Lyubushkin brings a physical presence with his larger frame. He’s capable of filling a role on the third defensive pairing without the pressure of shouldering responsibilities on a top-tier Cup contender like the Leafs.
It seems evident that Treliving is inclined towards making a significant move. If this entails parting ways with a prospect like Nick Robertson, it appears he’s prepared to do so. Similarly, if it means trading a dependable American League player such as Alex Steeves or Nick Abruzzese, Treliving seems poised to make that exchange.
While Toronto doesn’t necessarily need to overhaul their first two lines, they are keen on improving their third and fourth lines, or even bolstering one of their top-two defensive pairings with a veteran defenseman. Consequently, the Leafs are undoubtedly willing to make a move to achieve these objectives.
The successes of the Leafs this season underscore how close they are to becoming a dominant force in the league.
A glance at their lineup reveals players who have excelled consistently throughout the season (hello Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner!) as well as those who have experienced fluctuations but have recently shown resilience (hello Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Ilya Samsonov!). With few noticeable gaps in their roster, the onus is now on Treliving to identify and acquire the pieces necessary for a prolonged and successful playoff campaign.
Does this imply it’s time for a major shake-up? While we’re inclined to say “no” to that question, it’s plausible that management is considering reconfiguring the supporting cast around the “Core Four.”
Therefore, we anticipate the Leafs will adopt a more conservative approach to trading, likely making one or two modest depth acquisitions before the deadline. With the star players already in place, the focus is now on providing them with the necessary support to emerge as formidable contenders once playoff hockey commences in April.
This isn’t to suggest that Leafs fans can’t indulge in fantasies of a blockbuster trade. However, it’s more likely that Toronto will proceed cautiously as the deadline approaches.
While a move for a forward or defenseman is almost certain, it may not involve acquiring a household name or a superstar performer. This is a reasonable expectation for Leafs fans in the upcoming week.
