Maple Leafs' trade-deadline strategy for Auston Matthews, stars revealed

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not considering trading important players like Auston Matthews or William Nylander, but they could sell other big-name players, according to reports.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman claimed, via Sportsnet, that he does not believe Toronto's front office is considering letting go of players of Matthews, 28, or Nylander's, 29, caliber, but noted that they are not only thinking about letting go of players pending to become unrestricted free agents.

"The word around them is they're widening their ideas of what they may consider, and they are talking a bit more about players with terms," Friedman said.

Maple Leafs open to trading players with term, but core stars are untouchable

On Feb. 25, journalist David Pagnotta reported that the Leafs were in contract talks with Bobby McMann, who has been linked to the Edmonton Oilers.

According to Friedman, nothing is closed, and McMann, 29, still has the possibility of being sold. 

"I believe there is an extension that both sides know could happen," Friedman said.

"The fact that he's still a Maple Leaf tells me there's nothing out there that they would trade him for at this point in time. We'll see where it goes over the next six days, but I'm told that one could go in either direction."

The Maple Leafs lost again on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators and have a record of 27-24-9. With playoff hopes almost faded, it is clear the franchise will be active before the trade deadline on March 6.