Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs shocked everyone with a series of unexpected trade rumors, sparking intrigue and speculation across the league

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Tyler Ball
November 17, 2023 (8:40 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs season to this point has been a mixed bag. Some great well-rounded performances and others that are downright awful. This has led to a lot of trade rumors asking for one key position upgrade.

Maple Leafs Need To Upgrade On Defense

Despite their relative success this season everyone who watches the team finds one common weakness which is the defense. Big-time acquisition John Klingberg has been so disappointing he has been benched in recent weeks. Other players like Mark Giordano just can't handle the minutes they used
to.

John Klingberg says his injury is something he's been managing throughout his career. Unsure if he can play Sunday. Says at least it's a good sign he felt well enough to skate today. Optimistic this won't derail his season.

With an injury now added to the subpar play of Klingberg the Maple Leafs need to find a new stable top-four option.

New Report Suggests A Trade Could Bring The Maple Leafs A Huge Upgrade

Multiple reports have confirmed who Brad Treliving wants to get the most.

There's been rumors swirling who are they going to acquire. Is there a trade happening?

There are rumors that have been in the mainstream now for a while of Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov. I think those would be great gets.

NHL insider Jeff Marek believes the team could chase after both in Treliving's pursuit of an overhaul.

I think they want both (Nikita) Zadorov and (Chris) Tanev, I don't think they just want one. But they'll take one. Brad Treliving, make no mistake about it, wants to re-do this blueline. The Toronto Maple Leafs blueline�have a look at it right now, and have a look at the trade deadline�it will, if Treliving can do what he wants to do, look profoundly different.

With Tanev and Zadorov both in a bad situation in Calgary many people have linked them to Toronto in recent weeks. Both are veteran big defensemen who can fill a much-needed role for the Maple Leafs.

Tanev provides a right-handed option on defense that the Maple Leafs have been lacking but he is already 33 years old. Zadorov is younger and still a physical defensive presence. However, he does not solve the Maple Leafs' need for right-handed defensemen.

Both would be huge upgrades so it could come down to asking price as to which player the Maple Leafs end up trading for.

As Read On - NHL Trade Rumors - Insider: Maple Leafs Blueline Will Look «Profoundly Different» Soon