The Leafs may acquire Brett Pesce's negotiating rights to avoid a bid-off

Earlier this week, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta confirmed that the Maple Leafs are one of the two anticipated frontrunners for Carolina's Brett Pesce, with the Nashville Predators being the other team reportedly interested in the veteran blueliner.

In the latest development, a source who wishes to remain anonymous has reached out to inform us that the Maple Leafs are believed to be interested in offering up a late round draft pick to acquire Pesce's negotiating rights in an attempt to be able to begin negotiating a deal with the 29-year-old before he becomes a UFA on July 1st.

Pesce has been on the Leafs' radar for multiple seasons running. As you know, where there's smoke, there's fire and we could see the Leafs pull off a deal in the coming weeks, if the stars align.

It's not something we see often in the NHL, and we even saw the Maple Leafs refuse to move Zach Hyman to the Edmonton Oilers for a 6th round draft pick a few short years ago, opting instead to lose him for nothing to avoid giving Edmonton the option of picking up the 8th year, as Kyle Dubas didn't think he was getting fair value for the asset.

Will the Leafs be able to get a deal done? That remains to be seen, but the fact that they're considering it shows how serious they are about re-vamping the blueline in a meaningful way.

Source: David Pagnotta