Report: Leafs to be deadline sellers

The NHL’s February 24th trade deadline is just days away and Toronto Maple Leafs fans are still scratching their collective heads and wondering what to make of their team. 

The Leafs are in the thick of an intense playoff battle with the likes of the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets. Currently, they’re on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but with still 20 games left to go there’s still much left to be determined. With respect to the deadline, what do the Leafs do? 

Does GM Kyle Dubas load up with more talent and continue to push? Or does he cash in his chips and recoup some assets for players on expiring contracts? In other words, are the Leafs buyers or sellers come Monday’s deadline?

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman addressed that question on his latest 31 Thoughts podcast with co-host Jeff Marek. Check it out:

Marek: So the Leafs could be sellers on Monday?

Friedman: Okay, you’ve traded a 1st to deal Marleau. You don’t have a lot of your picks. You traded a couple picks to get Campbell and Clifford. What do you think you could get for Barrie?

Marek: Try to get picks back?

Friedman: I think that guy too… it just didn’t work. For whatever reason, it just didn’t work. The other thing now too is that with Johnsson out can you really trade Kapanen or Kerfoot?

Marek: It’s more difficult. You still can…

Friedman: If you get something with term you can do it…. but I might deal Barrie. I might just say, “You know what, it hasn’t worked and I bet you he would almost appreciate the chance to go somewhere to try to revive his season.

Marek: Would Vancouver be an option for Tyson Barrie?

Friedman: Yes…. I think Calgary would have interest. I think there are a lot of teams that would love to have Tyson Barrie run their power play or be part of their team for the playoffs. The guy’s talented.

Stay tuned, Leafs fans. The results of tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Saturday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes will go a long way toward deciding what Dubas does or doesn’t do come Monday’s trade deadline.