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Insider reveals that a top defenseman on the trade market does not want to play in Toronto

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Mike Armenti
July 17, 2023  (8:54)
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Over the last couple of weeks, since Brad Treliving expressed a desire to add another piece on the Leafs' blueline, Leafs Nation has been heavily speculating who the Leafs might target in the trade market this summer. Of course, one of the main names that has come up, aside from the pipe dream that is Erik Karlsson, is Carolina's Brett Pesce.

On Sunday, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta joined TLN's Nick Alberga on Leafs Morning Take and the Pesce situation did come up in conversation towards the end of the podcast. Unfortunately for any Leaf fans who were holding onto hope that Pesce would be the guy, it doesn't sound too favourable at the moment.

"Well, they'd like to. They'd like to add a responsible guy because they've added the offensive unit in Klingberg... I want to clear something up too, because I've been seeing Pesce all over the place - Brett Pesce in Carolina would be a perfect fit in Toronto. He's exactly what they need... He has a 15-team trade list. Toronto is not on that list. So, if you want Brett Pesce, I'm sure they can go to him and say - and this is another guy with one year - 'we'd like to sign you to an extension, would you come here? Let's hammer that out,' that might change things. But as of now, Toronto is not one of the teams on Brett Pesce's trade list." - Pagnotta on the idea of the Leafs going after Brett Pesce

Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev are 3 other names that Pagnotta brought up who could potentially check some boxes in Toronto, but did mention that he's not sure whether there's any appetite right now for the Flames to deal with the Leafs. He also mentioned that if another body comes in on the blueline, the Leafs may have to part with someone like T.J. Brodie, who has been involved in a few rumours over the summer.

Truth be told, the Leafs may not even need to add another body on the blueline just yet. They may have everyone they need with the group consisting of Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Jake McCabe, John Klingberg, Mark Giordano, Timothy Liljegren and Conor Timmins. If they do go out and get someone, however, I could certainly support a move for a physical defenseman like Zadorov.

POLL
JUILLET 17   |   155 ANSWERS
Insider reveals that a top defenseman on the trade market does not want to play in Toronto

Do you think Brett Pesce would waive his NTC to come to Toronto if they offered him a lucrative extension?

Yes6139.4 %
No3522.6 %
If he doesn't want to be here, don't even inquire.5938.1 %
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