Leafs’ Brad Treliving looking at trade options in Calgary!

The panic button has not been pushed in Toronto, but I feel like Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving’s hand isn’t far from it… According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Maple Leafs were believed to have been quietly exploring the trade market for future moves, though they were focusing on an affordable option to add to their top-six later in the season. However now, Pagnotta reports that Treliving is seeking a sturdy defenseman with Treliving focusing on his former club and the Maple Leafs’ next opponent later tonight, the Calgary Flames.

“Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov are two blue liners Treliving is familiar with. The Calgary Flames haven’t put up the “for sale” sign just yet, but if they can’t turn their fortunes around, they’ll take a more serious look at moving out some of their players on expiring deals like Tanev and Zadorov, both of whom have attracted interest from more than just Toronto.”

Insider Kevin Weekes also claims rumours are going around that Treliving is focusing on his former players. 

If Treliving remains focused on his former players to come in as saviours in Toronto, he will need to play with that all constraining cap space with potentially a roster player being pushed out.

Earlier this week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he believed the Flames have started making phone calls to gauge the trade value for pending UFA defensemen Tanev and Zadorov.

I do not doubt that the Maple Leafs are interested in either of these blue liners but they would find a way to pull it off.
Friedman also mentioned how Toronto would not be the only team calling to inquire about these trade targets: he believes the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins could be linked to Calgary when it comes to acquiring help on the back end.

The Maple Leafs host the Flames later today, and I bet Treliving will be taking a closer look at his former club’s performances on the blue line to see if someone catches his eye and makes him want to bend over backwards to make the numbers work and get help for his team.

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