Fire sale gets underway in Toronto.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a terrible season by their standards and it has now become clear that the situation in Toronto is untenable as it currently is. As a result there has been all kinds of talk that the Maple Leafs will become sellers ahead of the upcoming National Hockey League trade deadline, and on Saturday night that talk was confirmed.

During a segment on Hockey Night in Canada, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Leafs have already begun the process of reaching out to teams around the league to find potential fits for some of their players.

"Everybody sees the standings.... and one thing they have done this week is begun the process of calling around the league and seeing what is available to them," revealed Friedman.

One of the more interesting comments from Friedman was the suggestion that the Maple Leafs may now be considering moves they previously would not have considered.

"Being in a position where they might have to consider some things that they didn't expect to consider" said Friedman of the Leafs.

There has been a lot of talk surrounding Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews this season and the possibility of a split between player and team, but Friedman completely squashed those rumors on Saturday night,

"There was a conversation this week between the Maple Leafs and Matthews' representation... and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to each other," revealed Friedman. "The answer is no change, Matthews with them and the Maple Leafs with Matthews."

There are some obvious candidates here for the Maple Leafs who have several players on expiring contracts. Forwards Calle Jarnkrok, Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann are all set to be unrestricted free agents and as a result are all very likely trade candidates moving forward.

On the blue line the Maple Leafs have Troy Stecher, who has played well for them since being claimed on waivers, who is also on an expiring contract.

Stay tuned as it sounds like some big changes are coming to the Maple Leafs sooner rather than later.