NHL Insider Reveals Timeline on Next Trade for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving continue to look for ways to improve their forward group, with one insider providing a timeline for when to expect a trade.
The depth of the Leafs' forward group has been tested so far this season with injuries to David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Max Pacioretty, Auston Matthews, Bobby McMann and more, along with a 5-game suspension for Ryan Reaves.
Those absences have led to the likes of Nikita Grebenkin, Alex Steeves, Alexander Nylander and Fraser Minten getting unexpected opportunities to showcase their talents to Brad Treliving and Craig Berube.
While Alex Nylander's stint with the Leafs wasn't great, Grebenkin was a victim of not having to clear waivers, while Minten has been excellent despite the Leafs being forced to rush him into the NHL.
As the Leafs continue to battle injuries and explore the trade market, The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta has provided a timeline as to when fans can expect some sort of movement from Treliving and the Leafs.
"With a holiday roster freeze set to kick in Dec. 20 at midnight local time (per market), running until 12:01am (local time) on Dec. 28, it's unlikely the Leafs make a major acquisition this month," wrote Pagnotta.
"A move for a veteran at the dot is not considered imminent, but the Maple Leafs are doing their due diligence and scouring the market, compiling a list of potential targets later in the campaign."
"A move for a veteran at the dot is not considered imminent, but the Maple Leafs are doing their due diligence and scouring the market, compiling a list of potential targets later in the campaign."
Although a trade doesn't appear imminent, at least before the new year, the Leafs have been linked to New York islanders center Brock Nelson multiple times. With the Islanders struggling and former Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello at the helm, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Leafs push hard to acquire the 33-year-old pending UFA.
For now, however, the Leafs appear content using rookie Fraser Minten as well as the handful of bodies at their disposal as a stop-gap up the middle until they find exactly what they are looking for.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 2336 ANSWERS NHL Insider Reveals Timeline on Next Trade for the Toronto Maple Leafs Is Brock Nelson someone you hope to see the Leafs pursue on the trade market? | ||
| Yes | 1292 | 55.3 % |
| No | 1044 | 44.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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