Insider Confirms Leafs GM Brad Treliving Plans to Make Intelligent Choices with Top Trade Assets

As Brad Treliving looks to solidify the depth down the middle, the Leafs' GM is exercising caution when it comes to trading his premium assets.

While William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews are representing their respective countries in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Leafs GM Brad Treliving and his staff will continue to work the phones as they look to fill a few holes on the roster ahead of the March 7th trade deadline.

Everyone is well aware thatthe top priority for the Leafs is down the middle as they have had trouble finding an internal solution at the 3C position.

In recent weeks, they have been linked to almost every center available, including the long-coveted Flyers forward Scott Laughton.

The Leafs have been after Laughton for several years now, but have failed to meet the high asking price to acquire him. This year is no different, unfortunately. The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta recently reported that the Flyers are looking for a top prospect or first-round pick for the 30-year-old.

Although Laughton does have another year left on his deal after this one, Pagnotta believes Treliving and the Leafs are not interested in trading top prospects for a bottom-six forward, so unless the asking price comes down, they may be doing their business elsewhere.

'I don't get the sense the team is interested in moving someone like Fraser Minten, Ben Danford or Easton Cowan for a bottom-six forward,' wrote Pagnotta

Treliving has made it known he would like someone with term on their deal, but if he is going to acquire someone with term it may as well be someone like Buffalo's 23-year-old center Dylan Cozens, who can help the Leafs now and down the road.

Fans may not expect there to be much NHL news outside of the 4 Nations over the next week and a half, but acquiring players now would give the player time to pack up and get to Toronto well ahead of his first practice with his new team, before returning to game action on the 22nd.

By the time the Leafs return to practice, the prospect pool and roster could look a little different, something fans are hopeful for after months of asking for a new 3C.