Insider discusses the Leafs/Flyers rumours surrounding young defenseman
It is no secret that the Leafs and Brad Treliving are looking to upgrade their defense this off-season to become more difficult to play against in the playoffs. How Treliving makes those changes, though, remains to be seen.
On today's Leafs Morning Take, Elliotte Friedman debunked the weekend reports that the Leafs had serious discussions with the Flyers regarding Travis Sanheim.
Not only did Friedman debunk the rumours of serious discussions with the Flyers, but he also reported that the Leafs have yet to have serious discussions internally about him either. That could be because of the reports that Sanheim was to be included in a trade to St. Louis that is being held up by Torey Krug not waiving his no-trade clause, or it could also be because they don't actually see him being a good fit on the blueline.
The other two issues for the Leafs, if they were interested in Sanheim is the fact he has a no-trade clause kicking in on July 1st and that he is entering the first year of an 8-year deal that will come with a cap hit of $6.25M per season. That cap hit is very rich for the Leafs even if the cap goes up, as they will have to re-sign Mitch Marner in two summers and will also have to pay younger players like Timothy Liljegren and Matthew Knies down the road. Sanheim would be 35 when his contract expires and while the 6'3, 180 pound blueliner would add the size Treliving covets on his blueline, saddling the Leafs with the full cap hit for 8 years may not make sense.
