Failed trade for defensive help reported in Toronto!

On Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft and a third-round pick in 2026.

That put an abrupt end to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ plan to bolster their back end. The Leafs have been dealt many injuries on the blue line with the latest being Mark Giodarno out week to week with a fractured finger. He joined a full infirmary where John Klingberg can be found since he was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) last week with what has since been confirmed by team GM Brad Treliving to be a hip injury. Add blue liner Timothy Liljegren also on LTIR to the crippled mix…

Kevin Weekes has reported that the Maple Leafs attempted to acquired both Zadorov and Chris Tanev from the Flames.
Toronto now has to keep shopping for the help they desperately need on the back end now that Zadorov is the new member of the Canucks’ organization.

Luke Fox believes the Maple Leafs needed Calgary to retain some of Zadorov’s cap and since the Canucks made room earlier this week with the Anthony Beauvillier trade, the Flames move his entire salary to Vancouver.

Reports came from Elliotte Friedman that the Maple Leafs could even consider going after a top rental blue liner ahead of the trade deadline. It all depends on what pieces they can move to make it all fit under the tight cap.

It does not mean that GM Brad Treliving will not revisit the idea of dealing with his former team in Calgary to get help on the back end. Tanev remains available, and Treliving could also set his sights on Noah Hanifin. A few weeks ago, Pierre LeBrun reported that Hanifin and the Flames were close on an eight-year, roughly $60 million contract extension, which would have carried an average annual value around $7.5 million. LeBrun then revealed that Hanifin decided to wait and see the Flames’ direction as the team struggled early in the season. Hence, the offer was pulled.

Hanifin, who is playing at a cap hit of $4.95 million, is one of several pending unrestricted free agents on the Flames believed to be drawing trade interest

As for Tanev, he carries a cap hit of $4.5 million this season, his fourth in Calgary.

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