Leafs-Penguins trade is brewing and it might be bigger than expected!

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins may be inching closer to a deal, according to insider Elliotte Friedman, but fans eager for a blockbuster will need to stay patient just a little while longer.

Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has been working the phones this summer, with the goal of filling the offensive gap left by Mitch Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights. And it looks like Pittsburgh could play a key role in how that shapes up.

The Penguins, led by former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, are facing a pivotal moment. With the franchise flirting with the idea of a rebuild, big names like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell have landed on the block. If Pittsburgh is serious about bottoming out in pursuit of Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, they might be willing to move some core pieces.

Friedman noted that while things have been quiet so far, the chatter is expected to pick up later this month:

“I don’t think there’s anything imminent there on any file,” he said on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “I’m assuming things are gonna heat up later in the summer.”

The latest update on the trade chatter between Toronto and Pittsburgh comes with a new name might be added to the mix. While the Maple Leafs likely needs to move out one or two forwards before the season begins, with David Kämpf and Calle Järnkrok frequently mentioned in rumours, there’s speculation some teams might prefer a younger, cheaper option.

Friedman wondered aloud if Dubas might circle back on a player he once drafted during his time in Toronto, Nick Robertson, potentially expanding the framework of any deal.

Earlier this week, the Leafs avoided arbitration with Robertson, settling on a one-year deal worth $1.825 million on Saturday. It had been reported by Friedman that Robertson set his value for the case at $2.25 million, while the team settled at $1.2 million ahead of their scheduled arbitration hearing, which was initially set to take place Sunday.

Robertson and the Maple Leafs have been at odds for several seasons now. If it’s not the player’s criticism of how he’s been used, it’s disagreements over his contract. Last summer, the 23-year-old winger even requested a trade out of Toronto. In the end, he signed a one-year deal worth $875,000 and went on to score 15 goals and 22 points in 69 NHL games. He also played nine games in the AHL, where he racked up 11 points.

If the Leafs and Penguins do end up striking a deal, it might not just be spare parts involved. Both Rust and Rakell fit the mold of what Toronto needs, but Treliving might be reluctant to move Robertson because of his age and scoring ability.

Keep an eye on this one as it could get a lot more interesting in the weeks ahead.