Insider: Maple Leafs ‘Offered The Moon’ For $25.5M Star Defenseman at Deadline
The Toronto Maple Leafs tried to acquire a star defenseman at the trade deadline.
The Maple Leafs ended up acquiring Brandon Carlo at the buzzer, but they appeared to have their eyes set on another defenseman. NHL insider Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported Toronto tried to acquire Rasmus Ristolainen, but the Philadelphia Flyers turned it down.
“League executives also suggested the Senators could try to see if they can find a fit with the Philadelphia Flyers for right-shot blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen, who has two years left at $5.1 million per season,” Garrioch wrote.
However, Philadelphia turned down the trade package from the Maple Leafs. What exactly Toronto offered for him is uncertain, but for Carlo, Toronto gave up a first-round pick and a top prospect.
Ristolainen recorded 4 goals and 15 assists for 19 points in 63 games.
Maple Leafs GM Wanted to Add a Defenseman at Deadline
Entering the trade deadline, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving made it clear the team would look to add to its blue line.
Treliving has done a good job rebuilding the Maple Leafs’ blue line this offseason. At the deadline, Toronto acquired Carlo but poked tires on Ristolainen as Treliving made it clear the team can’t have enough defenseman.
“I don’t think you can ever have too many (defensemen). So if there’s something there that makes sense to us,” Treliving said before the trade deadline. “There’s certainly some areas we’d like to shore up. It’s just: What’s the cost, what’s the contract, how do you fit it in and ultimately what assets have got to go out the door?”
After Philadelphia declined the deal for Ristolainen, Toronto ended up trading for Carlo. In 20 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs, he had 3 assists, while in 13 playoff games, he has 0 points. However, Carlo is known for his defensive ability, and Toronto has him under contract for two more years.
Maple Leafs CEO Makes Goals Clear for Team
Toronto had another early playoff exit, which likely will signal some major changes to the Maple Leafs roster.
After the playoff exit, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley spoke to the media and expressed confidence in Treliving and coach Craig Berube. But, he says the goal for the team is simple, and that’s to bring a Stanley Cup back to the city.
“Change is natural in sport, but change is hard,” Pelley said. “This is a results-driven business, and it’s about winning championships. And sometimes you need change to get to the next level. And that’s what we feel we needed right now. Make no mistake about it, making the playoffs and winning rounds is not our aspirational goal. Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup.”
Toronto enters the offseason with just over $25.7 million in cap space.
Analyst Proposes Stunning 1-for-1 Trade Between Maple Leafs and Ducks
The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to be aggressive this offseason in hopes of reshaping their roster.
NHL analyst Thomas Williams of EditorInLeaf proposed a stunning one-for-one blockbuster with the Anaheim Ducks that would see Toronto acquire Trevor Zegras.
Maple Leafs acquire:
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Toronto would deal their top prospect in exchange for a star young forward who could thrive in a big market.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Zegras, who would be a top-six forward and could replace Mitch Marner. He’s entering the final year of his three-year, $17.25 million deal and will be an RFA at the end of the next season. Zegras entered the NHL with plenty of hype, but he has had mixed results, and his name has come up in trade talks. Zegras recorded 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points in 57 games.
In return, the Maple Leafs would trade Easton Cowan, who is Toronto’s top prospect. Cowan was selected 28th overall in 2023, and the 20-year-old would likely make Anaheim’s roster next season. The young forward projects to be a middle-six forward in the NHL. But with Toronto looking to compete for a Cup, adding someone like Zegras, who is a better player right now, makes sense.
Analyst Explains Stunning Maple Leafs-Ducks Blockbuster
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster, but one that Williams believes makes sense for both sides.
Toronto would take a swing on Zegras becoming a star player in the NHL as he was projected to be after his draft.