Top Leafs Prospects Not Dressing For Marlies, Fuelling Significant Trade Speculation

The Toronto Marlies returned to action Saturday after Alex Steeves set a team all-time team goal scoring record on Friday.

With a healthy forward group for the Leafs, Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten were recently sent back to the Marlies to get them back into game action. However, neither Minten nor Grebenkin played on Friday night against Laval and are not in the lineup for Saturday's rematch.

There were no public comments from the Marlies surrounding the decision to not play either of them, which has left fans curious as to whether or not a significant trade might be on the way in Toronto.

Leafs and Marlies reporter Nick Barden addressed one fan's question on Twitter/X about the decision to sit the pair for back-to-back games, but could only offer the hope of post-game clarity.

Given that Minten and Grebenkin didn't show signs of any injury with the Leafs and Jacob Quillan is back in the lineup after being injured in his lone game with the Leafs, it does not appear to be injury related.

The Leafs have been linked to Dylan Cozens, Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton and others. With rumours surfacing suggesting that the Leafs and Flyers were engaged in active discussion about Laughton, I'm sure fans in Toronto are waiting on the edge of their seats to see what might happen and who might be coming in prior to the trade deadline.

Not only that, but I'm sure everyone will be equally curious to see who is sent back the other way in the deal.