Report reveals Maple Leafs' 'main focus' ahead of NHL trade deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs have returned a more well-balanced team than in recent seasons, with goals scored and goals against both down. Improved team defense and capable goaltending from Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray have spearheaded that trend. With impressive performances from younger players such as Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren and Conor Timmins, some have questioned Toronto’s need to add a defenseman at the trade deadline.

However, Chris Johnston of NorthStar Bets relayed a report from a league source that the Leafs’ “main focus” is on fortifying its defensive depth, citing the Jake Muzzin injury as a notable absence. While the team does have seven NHL defensemen who can play solid games on any given night, you can never have too many capable options come playoff time when injuries can end a season quickly. Still, Johnston says the Leafs are still searching for roster upgrades all over to escape an Atlantic Division ring of fire alongside Boston and Tampa Bay.

Here are more notes from around the league...

• Due to what the New Jersey Devils have called “upper-body soreness,” superstar center Jack Hughes did not participate in practice on Tuesday, taking a maintenance day. Already soaring past his career highs with 35 goals and 67 points in just 50 games, Hughes’ point production, even-strength goal-scoring and excellent defensive metrics have helped propel the Devils into contender status. Having lost just twice in regulation since the New Year, New Jersey is in a comfortable standings position.
• After NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said over the All-Star weekend that more than 15 parties have demonstrated interest in purchasing the Ottawa Senators, Chris Johnston said  on TSN’s "Insider Trading" that the final evaluation of the team at sale could be upward of $800M. As Johnston notes, it’s an incredible return on investment for the Melnyk family. Eugene Melnyk purchased the team at a $92M valuation two decades ago.