What Does a Dream Trade Deadline Look Like for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Jan 25, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) shoots the puck in
Jan 25, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) shoots the puck in | Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
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The Toronto Maple Leafs may have had a somewhat disappointing season to date, but the idea that they won't be buyers at the NHL Trade Deadline is ridiculous, bordering on idiotic.

Of course the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be buying - if you have Auston Matthews on your team and he is in one of his limited prime years, you go for it.

No questions asked.

So the question is what do the Leafs need?

They need at least two defensemen, a left winger who can score, a 3rd line centre, and a goalie. They need the goalie more than anything else, and it's important that at least one of the positional additions is a star.

It's a tall order for besieged and unpopular GM Brad Treliving. His Calgary Flames are in rough shape, and his work so far with the Leafs has been terrible.

Treliving's only good personnel move so far was signing Tyler Bertuzzi who has been extremely unlucky and hits the all-star break with a weak six goals, despite excellent underlying numbers.

But besides Bertuzzi, Treliving's signings have all been a disaster. Max Domi has been a bust because he makes it nearly impossible for Keefe to have a balanced attack, since he can't play in the top six and he can't defend.

David Kampf and Ryan Reeves make up the most expensive - and by far the worst - 4th line in the NHL. And the less said about John Klingberg the better.

So to sum up: the Toronto Maple Leafs need a lot and have a general manager with a history of not being able to deliver.

Still, a boy can dream. So, with that in mind, here is what I'd consider the "dream scenario" of the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline.

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