Leafs attempted to bring in 3 players, including a former Leaf, at the deadline.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did make some alterations before the trade deadline, but it sounds like they considered a number of additional moves.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Leafs were involved in three potential deals as they tried to acquire Valterri Filppula, Jason Garrison and former Leaf Cody Franson.

Toronto was not on Filppula’s list of approved teams to be moved to. He could block 13. So Tampa would have needed extra permission to send him there. Veterans see Colin Greening, Brooks Laich and Milan Michalek in the AHL, so they believe it could happen to them too. Going into the last year of his contract, Filppula had to be aware of that. Toronto was linked to another Tampa player — Jason Garrison — and Buffalo’s Cody Franson, but there was nothing at the end.

The fact that they were targeting both Garrison and Franson would appear to indicate that the rumors about the Leafs looking to improve their blue line are in fact true. The deals not getting down however also indicate that Lou Lamoriello isn't prepared to mortgage the future in order to make improvements to his club.

Nonetheless don't be surprised if this comes up once again at the next two drafts.

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