Pair of Insiders reveal shocking change to Leafs' trade plans
The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently marred in a four game losing streak that has seen them blow four leads and having lost three straight in regulation. It is the second time this season that the Leafs have lost four in a row, but with a little puck luck, the team believes they could be on an eight game winning streak instead this time around.
With their current losing streak, many are wondering if it calls for a trade or two to shake things up and bring in some fresh bodies, and while fans would like to see that happen, a pair of insiders don't believe it will.
On the latest 32 Thoughts episode, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek said he doesn't think the Leafs will do much, if anything.
"We've been saying this all year, but don't be surprised if the Leafs don't do anything or do very little compared to the teams competing for a Stanley Cup."
His counterpart, Elliotte Friedman, had a similar outlook on the situation - and he's not the only one. On yesterday's edition of TSN 1050's OverDrive, TSN's Chris Johnston took a similar stance to Marek and Friedman.
"Part of the reason why is part of those cumulative decisions by Kyle Dubas. They obviously traded a lot of picks away over the years trying to get over the hump, but I don't get the feeling this is going to be a big deadline for the Leafs. I don't sense they're going to be major players."
It shouldn't really come as a shock to Leaf fans if they go back and look at GM Brad Treliving's trade deadline history as well as previous comments from him. Treliving believes teams are built in the off-season and not at the deadline.
Not only that, but it has also been reported multiple times that the pieces the Leafs do have to trade that would net any kind of value in return (first round pick, Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan) are pieces that Treliving is not willing to move.
While things can change in an instant, especially if the Leafs go on a run, it could be a very long season and short post-season for the Leafs, who may be better off to just wait to make their alterations to the roster in the summer. It also opens up the door to the potential for bigger deals to take place, as teams can temporarily exceed the cap by 10% in the summer.
POLL |
JANVIER 17 | 1071 ANSWERS Pair of Insiders reveal shocking change to Leafs' trade plans Do you think the Leafs will make a big move before the deadline? |
Yes, they have to shake the team up | 559 | 52.2 % |
No, it's not who Treliving is | 284 | 26.5 % |
Any big moves will happen during the summer | 228 | 21.3 % |
List of polls |
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Previously on MapleLeafsDaily