Leafs GM Brad Treliving reportedly looking to poach his former team

With the National Hockey League Trade Deadline quickly approaching, current Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has been linked to his former team in the Calgary Flames, reportedly looking to acquire multiple players including the likes of Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev. 

But could he be eying defenseman Noah Hanifin as a much-needed piece to shore up the Toronto blue line? It's a distinct possibility. 

An excerpt from Jonas Siegel's recent piece out of The Athletic details why the Maple Leafs could target Hanifin rather than Tanev: 

"First and foremost, if the Leafs are going to deal one (or more) of their most valuable assets for a defenceman — i.e. a first round pick — they should do it for the defenceman who just turned 27 late last month (Hanifin), not the one who celebrated his 34th birthday in December (Tanev).

Hanifin is seven years younger than Tanev.

Now, if the Leafs were to focus on this season and this season alone, maybe that wouldn’t matter as much. But the Leafs can’t simply focus on this season alone, not when it comes to their defence. They should be focused on this season and beyond, especially, again, if they’re going to be paying pricey assets for said defenceman and signing him to an extension.

The Leafs would be following the path of their rivals in Boston. The Bruinspaid a hefty price to acquire Hampus Lindholm from Anaheim in the spring of 2022, but with the eye on making him a long-term part of their team. Three days after they sent a first-rounder, two second-rounders and a prospect to the Ducks, the Bruins signed Lindholm to an eight-year, $52 million extension.

That would be the play for the Leafs with Hanifin. Trade for him with the idea of locking him up for the long haul." 

Hanifin is a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of next season with a cap hit of $4,950,000, a deal that was given to him ironically by Treliving during his time as Flames GM. 

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