Maple Leafs going after “best forward available” on trade market

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is on a mission and has made his number one priority quite clear. 

Earlier this week when Dubas met with reporters, he confirmed that he would be active ahead of the trade deadline. 

“I think it’s very clear our team will look to explore every opportunity we can.”

He even added that he would prefer to pull the trigger on a trade sooner rather than later, especially if he needs to shop in the United States. He prefers to make a trade as soon as possible because of the 14-day quarantine. 

“I think given the quarantine that’s in place right now, we’re going to be in a tougher spot to get as much out of it as we can… The sooner we can get a player in here, the better for them and for us.”

On Friday, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on the aire of SN590 that some of the Maple Leafs’ trade targets are unavailable until their teams figure out if they can agree to an extension, and the mindset at the moment is that the Leafs will go after the “best forward available” on the market. 

We now wonder if that means that Toronto will wait a few more days to see if the playoff pictures changes drastically for some clubs or if they will attempt a move sooner rather than later to get a clear roster going ASAP in Toronto. 

Friedman also explained how he believes that Nashville Predators defenseman Mattis Eklhom, whom the Maple Leafs were eyeing, isn’t as much as a priority for Dubas. 

No doubt we better get a close eye on what’s happening with the Leafs and how they will move things around to fit under the cap ahead of the postseason.