Report Confirms Maple Leafs Are A Favorite To Land A Former 1 Overall Pick At The Deadline

PUBLICATION

Tyler Ball
February 23, 2024 (9:59)

SHARE THIS STORY

Tonight a new report from an NHL insider has confirmed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are amongst the favorites to land a former #1 overall pick.

Maple Leafs Are A Favorite To Land A Former #1 Overall Pick

The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching and the Toronto Maple Leafs have several needs still. Arguably their biggest need is a top defenseman. Thanks to a new report we now know that the Maple Leafs are linked to a former top pick to fill that hole. According to Michael Augello of The Hockey News, the Maple Leafs have a lot of interest in Buffalo Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson.

Vegas, Toronto, and Colorado are three potential landing spots for Erik Johnson.

Toronto scouts have been at three of the last four Sabres games in Buffalo. Salary retention may be necessary in a potential deal.

(Michael Augello of The Hockey News)

With Maple Leafs scouts and even GM Brad Treliving going out to Buffalo to scout recently the Maple Leafs instantly become a favorite to land Johnson. However, just because they are a favorite does not mean the deal will be easy.

Can The Maple Leafs Land A Former #1 Overall Pick?

As the original post on X says the Maple Leafs would require the Sabres to retain some salary in the deal. They also would likely need to pay a premium compared to teams out West like Colorado and Vegas.

The fortunate thing for the Maple Leafs when it comes to Johnson is the Sabres record and Johnson's place in the lineup. As the season has gone on Johnson has gotten less and less ice time. While Johnson has not played well Buffalo has been a mess as a team which means that Johnson could receive a boost coming to Toronto.

This deal for the Maple Leafs would need to be one where they are confident the player can improve. With his pedigree of playing on winning teams like the Avalanche in recent years, this is possible. However, if the Maple Leafs overpay for Johnson and he underachieves this could be a bad trap very quickly.