One of Leafs GM Brad Treliving's Former Top Defensemen Has Suddenly Become Available
Current Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving may have an interest in swinging a trade for one of his former defensemen, who is suddenly available in Calgary.
Acquiring defensemen ahead of the trade deadline has become the go-to move for a lot of contending teams over the last few years. The Toronto Maple Leafs have added their fair share of depth defensemen in Luke Schenn or Joel Edmundson, but this year, they can make an even bigger splash by swinging big on Calgary Flames defender Rasmus Andersson.
They've been linked to several of the Flames' defensemen for a few years now and it's intensified recently due to Brad Treliving's history with the Flames, but it sounds like despite their proximity to the post-season, Calgary will be willing to move the Swedish defensemen for the right price.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period sat down with Winnipeg Sports Talk and discussed what the Flames are currently thinking, what they would want for Andersson, and whether or not it's realistic:
He later added that it's not out of the realm of possibility either because the player wouldn't mind a change of scenery and the Flames attempted to move him last year but didn't like what was being offered:
The three-pronged package is assuredly steep and if defensemen start to move ahead of time and he's one of the few remaining, the Flames will be in the driver's seat. It also helps that he's under contract for another season beyond 2024-25 and has a relatively low cap-hit of $4.55 million.
The Maple Leafs don't have a 2025 first round pick but they do own their firsts in 2026 and 2027, which could help. They do have a 2024 second round pick if they feel the need to add a sweetener but because of their first round pick situation, that prospect would have to be someone along the lines of an Easton Cowan or a Fraser Minten.
As crazy as that sounds, you have to factor in bidding wars, what other teams are going to be offering, and which defensemen are still available. What's also important is to remember that Calgary hasn't been too keen with dealing with Toronto and Treliving since he was let go, so that could be factor as well.
It's going to be interesting as we get closer to the trade deadline and with the 4-Nations Face-Off coming right before, it makes you wonder if we'll see moves come in before the tournament kicks off.
