Leafs willing to include first-round pick in major trade!

Since the start of the season, it has been said that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be ready to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup… if only they could bolster their back end ahead of the trade deadline. 

Last month, Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said if he doesn’t see enough gains from his blue line by late February, the Maple Leafs  will explore an upgrade on defence before Feb. 25.

Dubas claims that he wasn’t particularly enticed by the 2019 rental market, however, he is reportedly more inclined to use a significant trade bait if he finds the right target, according to Pierre LeBrun who revealed some interesting update on the trade situation in Toronto during Tuesday’s Insider Trading on TSN. 

“The Maple Leafs are at least willing to include their first-round pick for this year, which is obviously quite a departure for an organization that has been building up to this moment. But that’s just it, they’ve been building up to the moment where they’re now ready to contend for the Stanley Cup. Some of the teams that I’ve talk to, their understanding is that in the right package for a top-four defenceman, the Leafs would listen to including that first-round pick as part of the package. 

Obviously, that would include on whoever else the Leafs would be dealing in that package. If the potential roster player or prospect is of a higher degree, then maybe the first-round pick isn’t in play. It really depends on the package at large, but that first-round pick could move in that type of deal.”

For the past two seasons Toronto hasn’t been a major player at the trade deadline but that could change given the team’s position as contenders. Especially if they are willing to include their first round pick in a major trade. 

To be continued…