The countdown to NHL trade deadline day has begun, and with 36 days remaining, many eyes are on what the Maple Leafs could do to boost their chances of making it past the first round.
Last week, DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on Leafs Morning Take to discuss what Toronto might do trade wise before the March 3rd deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks defenceman, Jake McCabe, was one of the biggest talking points with Seravalli saying the Maple Leafs were at least interested in the 29-year-old.
Toronto may have been interested, but according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who joined Leafs Morning Take on Thursday, they’re likely not going to pull the trigger.
“I don’t think Toronto is going to pay that price for McCabe,” Friedman said. “I looked into that one specifically… But I’m not convinced Toronto’s going there (paying that price) for that.”
The reported price tag for McCabe, according to Seravalli, is a second-round pick and a B-level prospect, if acquired at his $4 million AAV. If a team wanted to get the 29-year-old at a $2 million AAV, they would need to give up a first-round pick, and possibly more.
Another topic that was discussed between Friedman, Alberga, and Rosehill on Leafs Morning Take was Timo Meier and whether Toronto is interested in his services. Although the insider didn’t divulge whether Toronto has interest, he does believe they could trade for him.
“The one thing I think about Meier is that — like the thing with the Leafs is you could do it and then flip him,” Friedman added on Leafs Morning Take, “and Dubas is the kind of guy who would think like that.
“Now the price is going to be enormous. That’s the one thing, like, Toronto doesn’t have a ton of cap room, they don’t have a ton of picks, and they want to keep their picks. I don’t know if they have the juice to pull that deal off.”
Friedman also added that the New Jersey Devils could be the top team in the race to acquire Meier before the March 3rd deadline.
“I think New Jersey is the team to watch there,” the NHL Insider said. “I think that’s the team that’s made it clear they like Meier and they would really like to do it. So, my question is, could Toronto outbid the Devils? I think you look up and down and you see if they can do that.”
Other topics that were talked about with Friedman on Leafs Morning Take were whether Alex Kerfoot or Pierre Engvall would be moved, Matthew Knies isn’t going to be traded for a rental, and Auston Matthews’ next contract.
There’s a lot of interesting tidbits in this episode, so be sure to check it out below.
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