Toronto Maple Leafs have a specific trade demand in mind
As seems to be the case most years in this era of the franchise, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline once again.
And according to a pair of hockey’s top insiders, it seems the Leafs will be looking for some help down the middle.
As per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Toronto is looking for someone who can stick around on a contract past this year.
“Toronto’s preference for a centre is term. Might not be what ends up happening, but it’s what they prefer,” Friedman wrote yesterday in his 32 Thoughts column.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston also believes that there’s a move on the way for Toronto.
“There are very few guarantees in life, but I’m willing to offer you one: The Leafs will acquire a middle-six center before the trade deadline passes at 3 pm ET on March 7. It’s a need management identified months ago,” Johnston wrote in a recent mailbag post.
“As for who it will be? The market of available players hasn’t taken enough shape yet to allow us to identify the top candidate. But the Leafs have the picks and prospects needed to make that kind of addition, and they have the desire, too.”
The acquisition of a new forward could bump Max Domi to the wing, as the veteran centre has contributed just three goals and 11 assists in his second season in Toronto.
While it might be a bit of reading the tea leaves more than anything of consequence set to happen sometime soon, it does also offer up a suggestion that the Leafs are willing to be patient to find the right fit.
Given that Toronto currently sits atop the Atlantic Division standings, it would make sense that the desire for a new face or two in town isn’t exactly a pressing desire, even if a new centre might be at the top of Brad Treliving’s wish list.