Insider delivers bad news on Maple Leafs' search for a center before trade deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs desperately need a center to ensure they have enough depth. But according to Elliotte Friedman, that's easier said than done.

It will be tough for Brad Treliving to make a deal ahead of the March 7 deadline. Not only because it seems like they lose out on potential pieces by the day, but their assets leave a bit to be desired.

They've already seen teams like Carolina and New York make big splashes, and if the team wants to ensure they are in the best possible spot, they'll need to buckle down and get a trade done.

However, according to NHL Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs will struggle due to their lack of draft capital.

Elliotte Friedman: Toronto's lack of draft assets makes trading difficult

In his latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman talked about how the Maple Leafs' lack of a 2025 first-rounder and a second-rounder hurt them in getting the 2C or 3C they need.

With Toronto's only real draft bargaining chip being their 2026 first-rounder, it's hard to sell teams on a pick two years from now, and without a deep prospect pool besides Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Ben Danford, it will be even tougher.

Toronto does have the pieces available to make a trade, but it's not the big splash fans initially hoped for. Scott Laughton, Jean Gabriel Pageau and Thomas Novak are three cheap and reliable names that won't cost the farm and could still make the Leafs a threat.

Names like Nick Robertson, David Kampf, Pontus Holmberg, and Topi Niemala have all been linked to trade rumors at some point this season, and Toronto could get a decent return for a package including one or several and a mid-to-low draft pick.

They should avoid overpaying for names like Brock Nelson or Ryan O'Reilly. Giving up the farm for three months of potential success isn't a great tradeoff. Brad Treliving needs to add more than just a center, and if giving up too much for one piece prevents him from bringing on another, it just hurts the team.

If the Maple Leafs want to make an impact, they can definitely do so without mortgaging their future. It won't make many fans happy and won't be the biggest name on the block. But if whoever Brad Treliving brings in helps them win a Stanley Cup, does it even matter?