Maple Leafs shopping on trade market for offensive boost

When the 2021 season got under way, most experts assume the Toronto Maple Leafs had enough depth up front and could manage any setbacks coming their way during the shortened campaign. 

And then Nick Robertson got injured, and the Leafs lost veteran Joe Thornton for a month with a rib fracture. And then, general manager Kyle Dubas had to  delve into the taxi squad to make up the numbers and he started thinking…

According to Elliotte Friedman, the GM still is wondering about potential upgrades in order to get an offensive boost up front, and the insider made it sound like the Maple Leaf might be taking a look on what’s available out there in his latest 31 Thoughts column on Sportsnet. 

“I didn’t think Toronto would need forwards, but here we are. With Nicholas Robertson and Joe Thornton out long-term, the Maple Leafs are searching for any potential upgrades to what they’ve got.”

If the Maple Leafs are seriously considering a trade to help them out during Robertson and Thornton’s absences, we can’t imagine they would be okay with dealing with quarantine times, so we wonder if Toronto is looking at rival Canadian clubs to make a move. 

Players on expiring deals like Zach Hyman, Zach Bogosian and even Travis Dermott could be considered potential trade pieces if the Leafs need to get a NHL-caliber player in the mix. 

We can’t wait to see names coming up as the trade gets more seriously… waiting on you, Friedman.