Top Trade Assets Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs Must Leverage Before the Deadline
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in heavy discussions regarding a potential trade, and they can use some solid assets to bring in the pieces they need to succeed.
There is no doubt that Brad Treliving is headed toward making a deal, whether it be for the coveted third-line center they need, or shoring up their defense, but whatever the need; the GM is going to fill it one way or another.
There's a lot of talk surrounding Nick Robertson being a big trade candidate to bring in that piece, however there is some concerns about if teams are going to bite on him, though many believe he will still be gone.
But the team doesn't necessarily have to get rid of Robertson to get a deal done, as they do have a few solid assets they can part with while keeping hold of their top prospects and feature players.
Toronto Has The Assets Available To Acquire A Third Line Center
Toronto surprisingly has a good bit of depth in their lineup, and have a few possible assets that are on the cusp that could make big trade pieces.
Besides Robertson, there's been Pontus Holmberg who has fallen out with the team and hasn't lived up to expectations. Conor Timmins has lost his spot to Philippe Myers, and Toronto only needs him for emergency purposes; and he hasn't looked good recently.
Down in the minors we have Topi Niemala, an undersized offensive defenseman who doesn't really fit with the current game plan. He's been decent for the Marlies, adding 11 assists but hasn't scored a goal yet. Toronto drafted him 64th overall in 2020.
Roni Hirvonen is in the same boat as Niemala, and not just because both are from Finland.
He's 5'10, 178 pounds and while he has potential to be a decent bottom-six contributor, if Craig Berube and Brad Treliving are in charge; he'll be hard pressed to find a spot.
Hirvonen has six goals and six assists this season in 27 games.
Ryan Tverberg is also another low-risk prospect they can get rid of. Another small center, he was drafted in the 7th round in 2020.
Kyle Dubas really put a focus on adding smaller, craftier defensively sound forwards, but it hasn't panned out and Toronto's shift to bigger bodies has only been successful.
Tverberg's struggled this season, only scoring one goal and six assists in 21 games for the Marlies.
Toronto also has a total of 16 draft picks they can use to pull in some pieces, and while the don't have a 2025 first round pick, they do have one in 2026 and if the window to win is short; it might be worth giving up for the right piece.
It will take a lot of work for Brad Treliving to bring in the right fit for the Leafs, but he has the pieces necessary and will have no issues at the end of the day.
