Leafs plotting massive Draft day splash hours before first overall selection!

The Toronto Maple Leafs are locked in on their first overall selection for Friday night's draft in Buffalo. But the real intrigue surrounding the franchise may be what happens after that pick is made.

General manager John Chayka hinted that Toronto has been actively engaged in trade discussions for every pick in the top 10, outside of their own at No. 1. The goal is ambitious but straightforward: land a second premium selection in a draft class widely regarded as deep in elite talent.

"If you could get two top-10 picks, that's a compelling option," Chayka told reporters at the team's practice facility, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "But at the same time, there's a cost to that, and it's not something that we'd be willing to do beyond a reasonable doubt."

Chayka acknowledged that the club explored deals for both the No. 4 pick, which Chicago sent to Buffalo in the Bowen Byram trade, and the No. 9 pick, which has already changed hands multiple times this week. Neither landed in Toronto's lap.

The Leafs reportedly have strong interest in defenseman Chase Reid, according to reporting from The Fourth Period. Nick Alberga followed up by reaching out to a source close to Reid, who compared the prospect to Zach Werenski but noted that Reid shoots right. The source also described him as an elite skater.

That defensive focus makes sense given the broader picture. Toronto is widely expected to select forward Gavin McKenna first overall, and pairing him with a high-end blue liner from the same draft class would give the franchise a foundational duo for years to come.

The most discussed avenue for acquiring a second top-10 pick involves winger Matthew Knies, Toronto's most valuable trade chip. Multiple teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, have reportedly expressed serious interest in the 23-year-old power forward, who posted 66 points in 79 games last season.

A failed trade has been reported in which the Stars could have landed the seventh overall pick from the Seattle Kraken in a sign and trade for Jason Robertson, but the star forward turned that the move that would have provided Dallas with ammunition to acquire Knies.

Reportedly, Toronto's asking price for Knies is steep. League insiders suggest the club wants at minimum a top-10 draft pick, a legitimate top-pairing defenseman, and an additional roster piece. Some rival executives have questioned whether the Leafs are truly willing to move him or simply testing the market.

Morgan Rielly's future also factors into the equation. Agent J.P. Barry has submitted a four-team list of Western Conference clubs to which Rielly would consider waiving his no-trade clause, though Chayka indicated a deal is not imminent.

For now, all eyes turn to Buffalo later tonight. Chayka made it clear the Leafs are not done dealing, and with qualifying offer deadlines looming Monday, the next 72 hours could reshape Toronto's roster in ways that extend well beyond the draft stage.