Report: Brad Treliving Using Media Tactics to Gain Leverage in High-Stakes Trade Talks
One noted NHL insider believes that Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is employing media tactics in his negotiations with Blues GM Doug Armstrong.
The NHL Trade Deadline is just days away, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have been heavily rumoured to be interested in making additions to their team. One name that has been floated as a possibility is St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn - but are Leafs fans in for some disappointment?
While making an appearance on "Real Kyper & Bourne", Sportsnet's Luke Fox said that he believes Leafs general manager Brad Treliving won't meet Blues general manager Doug Armstrong's asking prices and that he's trying to lower expectations for the Leafs fan base.
He doesn't scrap and claw just to get a Wild Card spot, he's very good at identifying, 'Do I actually have a contender or not?' I remember one Trade Deadline, I think it was David Backes he sold, even though they were in a playoff position. He values being a true contender over just sneaking into the dance.
I do think he's willing to part with some of his pieces if his prices are met, but going above and beyond to temper expectations for the fanbase and the media.
Maybe that's a ploy and some gamesmanship, because there's still a week to go here before the Deadline. But he's really trying to temper things down and say, 'We might not make the headline grabbing move.'
Toronto Needs To Buy Low
While Treliving has been known to sell off some pretty important pieces at times, very rarely will he make a gigantic splash at the deadline. Toronto could use a big splash like Schenn or potentially a Brock Nelson, but the cost is way too much.
If it was a 26-29 year old player in their prime, then perhaps it would be feasible to give away a package that will have to include a first rounder and Easton Cowan/Fraser Minten.
But Schenn is 33, and even if they got salary retention, it means another team has to come and Toronto might not be able to afford it anyways.
Instead, the team needs to focus on adding cheaper pieces like Nick Bjugstad, Scott Laughton, and Jake Evans (although in his case, might cost a premium pick thanks to GM Kent Hughes).
The Maple Leafs are going to have to make a deal or two in order to get their lineup where it needs to be, and it shouldn't have to break the bank. But it's not like they really could anyways.
