The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be aggressive buyers at this year’s trade deadline, because clearly their team (just look at the ages of their defensemen) is set up to win now.
The Toronto Maple Leafs all but sat out the NHL Trade Deadline last year, and that cannot be the case this year. The Leafs are going to aggressively try to win the Stanley Cup and that means that changes to the roster are coming in the new year.
The Leafs centre depth right now is pretty much a joke - after Matthews and Tavares, the Leafs don't have another top-nine centre on their roster, and their fourth line centre is David Kampf who is the NHL's most expensive fourth liner.
Now, given the Leafs current cap constraints, the club can’t splurge on an expensive option. There are rumours abound, indicating the Toronto Maple Leafs have kicked the tires on former Leaf Nazem Kadri. However, Kadri’s cap hit is too high and he's just not a good option anyways at 34.
Additionally, there have been rumours linking the Leafs to the New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson. Nelson would be a great offensive addition, but he isn’t exactly the best defensive option out there.
So, what does that mean?
It means the Leafs should be looking for better players than are currently rumoured. Nelson and Kadri are players far past their prime, and the Leafs need someone who is significantly better than Fraser Minten, and capable of filling in if one of the top two centres goes down.
Center depth not the only need for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Depth is one of the most crucial elements in a successful playoff run. Thus far, the unusually high rash of injuries has tested the Toronto Maple Leafs depth. While the Leafs have passed the test, it’s worth pointing out that they really only did it because of hot goaltending.
In addition to the Leafs needs at the centre ice position, they desperately need to add a defensman who can play in the top-four and push Oliver Ekman-Larsson down to the third pairing where he can hopefully find more success in the Mark Giordano role.
Considering that in-house options lack playoff experience, a couple of savvy vets could certainly help balance the lineup, but that isn't what the Leafs should go for. Once again, they have a need to trade for a player who actually makes a difference - a star player.
Ultimately, GM Brad Treliving will have his work cut out, trying to find solid additions without mortgaging the farm. Despite that warning, it seems like the best course of action at this point is for Treliving to pay whatever it costs to improve the team ahead of the trade deadline which is March 7, 2025.