Huge change in trade strategy for the Leafs amid ongoing drama

Toronto Maple Leafs fans might not want to hear it, but a few more regulation losses before the upcoming Olympics break could actually be a blessing in disguise for the franchise.

Without Chris Tanev and William Nylander, this team has shown its vulnerability, and it’s becoming clear that, at full strength, they may not be the Atlantic Division powerhouse fans hope for. Some insiders , like Michael Amato of Sportsnet, argue that the Leafs staying in playoff contention right up to the trade deadline may actually do more long-term harm than good.

On Tuesday night, Toronto lost 7-4 to the visiting Buffalo Sabres. Now on a five-game losing streak, this creates the perfect environment for general manager Brad Treliving to make bold moves, rather than clinging to the hope of a strong regular-season finish. With the team’s current roster, speculation is already swirling about who could be moved to maximize future success. Just recently, insider Jonas Siegel of the Athletic reported that the Maple Leafs could approach the trade deadline as sellers with significant pieces on the market.

“… there seems to be growing momentum in the market to sell. Presumably, that would include some or all of the four pending free agents on the roster: Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Calle Järnkrok and Troy Stecher.”

James Mirtle added:

“In addition to pending UFAs Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, Stecher and Calle Järnkrok, Treliving could be a power player at the deadline if he was willing to dangle higher-value assets such as Ekman-Larsson and subtract a few underperformers (choosing among Benoit, Matias Maccelli, Brandon Carlo, Dakota Joshua, Anthony Stolarz and Max Domi) to reset the deck for next season.”

This could be about turning short-term disappointment into long-term gain. By leveraging trade assets now, the Leafs could set themselves up for a deeper, more sustainable playoff run next year.

If Toronto keeps struggling through the next few games, fans may see a flurry of trade rumors heating up, and some tough decisions from the front office. For a franchise with high expectations, a little pain now might lead to a lot of gain later.