Elliotte Friedman Links Multiple Defensemen to the Toronto Maple Leafs

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Graham Montgomery
February 2, 2024 (10:04)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a rocky up and down season so far. Injuries have decimated the team on defense and in goal and yet they maintain a solid grasp on the 3rd spot in the Atlantic division. While the team has been in trade rumors all season long, a new report suggest that they could be looking to make a huge splash on the trade market ahead of the trade deadline on March 8th.

Elliotte Friedman Links Toronto Maple Leafs To Multiple Calgary Flames Defensemen

One of the players that has been in trade rumors all season is Flames defenseman Chris Tanev. The 34-year-old blueliner has a ton of experience with over 700 regular season NHL games under his belt. He has consistently been a steady defender throughout his career, accumulating a plus minus of 107 despite playing on many bad teams. Elliotte Friedman believes he could be a target for Brad Treliving and the Leafs this season.

"I said a while ago he's (Tanev) their target until he's not available and I still believe that to be the case, and he might not be the only one."

However, as Friedman notes, Tanev is not the only Flames blueliner that could be on the move this season. The Leafs could very well be looking to make a package deal for both Tanev and Noah Hanifin according to the insider. However, he has also reported that the Flames would like to extend Hanifin, if possible.

Friedman on Noah Hanifin (TJMS): "I do believe Calgary has made it very clear they'd like to keep him, both in words and what they have offered, I think Hanifin has to make a decision".

Package Deal Makes Sense For Trade Between Toronto Maple Leafs And Calgary Flames

The 27-year-old defenseman is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Given the state of the Calgary Flames, it is understandable that he might not want to sign an extension with the team. As such, he could force the team's hand.

Meanwhile, Pierre Lebrun is reporting that the price for Tanev is quite high. As such, the Leafs could very well get better value if they try to grab both Tanev and Hanifin in the same deal.

LeBrun on TSN Sportscentre: «The Price right now for Chris Tanev I'm told is a 2nd RD pick + another asset. The Leafs have no 2nd RD picks for the next 3 years, so it's going to take a 1st RD pick if the Leafs want to get Chris Tanev out of Calgary»

Trading for Tanev alone may not make sense for the Leafs, given their lack of future assets as Lebrun states. However, they could go all-in by acquiring both. While the price would obviously be even higher, they could potentially squeeze out a little extra value by acquiring both players at the same time. Furthermore, giving up another 1st round pick might not hurt as bad with two proven NHL defenders coming the other way. Of course, the Leafs would be giving up more than just a 1st round pick in this trade, but they could also give up less valuable assets such as Nick Robertson, who the team is seemingly not that high on. Regardless, it will be an interesting trade deadline to watch for Leafs fans.

As seen on Insider suggests that the Leafs may be eyeing a very large deal with the Flames