Maple Leafs Reportedly Playing Hardball With Blues Over Top Trade Target Brayden Schenn

Earlier in February, it was made public that Leafs GM Brad Treliving was not going to 'empty the cupboards' just for the sake of making a move, but that he'd only consider a big deal if it made the team better.

Although Treliving admitted that he would prefer a player with term if he was going to part with his most prized assets in Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan, Ben Danford and others, Treliving is continuing to be cautious with the deadline coming up. Perhaps that is by design.

Many have reported that Brayden Schenn is at the top of the Leafs' wish list, but the asking price for the Stanley Cup Champion remains high.

The price is so high, that according to Blues reporter Andy Strickland, a deal between the Leafs and Blues is 'unlikely' and 'doubtful' at this point.

Strickland noted that things can change, but unless the Blues drop their asking price for the 33-year-old it appears the Leafs will be shifting their focus elsewhere to acquire their desired upgrade at center. This could simply be the Leafs biding their time and making the Blues sweat it a little, hoping for a reduction in their ask.

Schenn certainly checks all the boxes Treliving and the Leafs are looking for -- the ability to play center, a player with term remaining on his contract, provides offense and physicality, but given his age and the extra years at $6.5M left on his deal, there are some risks involved, especially if there are top prospects involved.