Elliotte Friedman Reveals the Issue the Toronto Maple Leafs Encountered While Talking Trade With the Flames

PUBLICATION

Dawson Mckenzie
December 3, 2023 (10:42)

SHARE THIS STORY

Elliotte Friedman recently revealed the main issue that the Toronto Maple Leafs hit with the Calgary Flames when discussing a trade for a defenseman.

Friedman Reveals that Retaining Salary Was The Main Issue for Leafs Regarding Zadorov and Tanev Trade

Its no question the Toronto Maple Leafs are hot on the trade market for a defenseman. It was a surprise, however, when the Flames traded Zadorov to the Canucks for a pretty reasonable price, and many wondered why Toronto didn't make a similar offer.

Now, Elliotte Friedman has revealed that the biggest hiccup regarding what the Leafs were looking for in a trade with Calgary was the salary retaining on the Flames end.

Friedman at the intermission says the Leafs made a pitch for both Tanev and Zadorov, the issue was they wanted the Flames to retain 50% on both players and couldn't come to an agree on that let alone compensation for both players.

Leafs Still Need to Shore Up Their Blueline To Make Push

The Leafs are in a comfortable position in the standings a quarter of the way through the year, however, they can't be complacent when it comes to moves. Their lack of defensive composure highlights that, blowing leads in regulation and taking most of their games to extra time.

A depleted #Leafs defense gets another test as Mark Giordano will miss some time.
Morgan Rielly logged a season-high 30:30 of ice time tonight, the most he's played in a regular season game since Oct. 29, 2019 (33:16) ↩️
Keefe: "We're thinking we might be shorthanded at practice tomorrow."

I wonder if the Leafs need defense

Now, they will be looking somewhere else for a defenseman, and hopefully, they don't have to pay an arm and a leg in desperation.