Toronto has just over $2.2 million in cap space entering the final week before the deadline.
May 21, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving speaks during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (not shown) at Ford Performance Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
If the Toronto Maple Leafs make any trades before Friday’s NHL trade deadline, it will reportedly involve salary retention from another team.
The Maple Leafs have just over $2.2 million in cap space to play around with entering the final week of the deadline. According to several reports over the last few weeks, Toronto has been interested in St. Louis Blues’ Brayden Schenn and Philadelphia Flyers’ Scott Laughton.
Those, however, aren’t the only names, as Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has also reportedly looked at Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans, plus a few others.
According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun, any trade involving big-name players like those will require salary retention from their trade partner, or potentially, a third team.
“It’s nearly decision time after a months-long pursuit of a third-line center. The Leafs have looked at Brayden Schenn in St. Louis and Scott Laughton in Philadelphia, while keeping tabs on fall-back rental options like Montreal’s Jake Evans, Seattle’s Yanni Gourde and Utah’s Nick Bjugstad,” the two insiders wrote.
“Meanwhile, GM Brad Treliving is also hoping to procure another depth defenseman who can play the right side. A tight cap situation looms over every decision in Toronto, which is why Treliving is likely to seek salary retention from any seller and/or use another team as a third-party broker to make the money work.”
Schenn’s contract has two more years remaining, and its annual average value is $6.5 million, which is way over the amount that Toronto can fit into its current cap structure. Laughton, however, has one more year at $3 million, which could be easier to fit in.
Laughton has 11 goals and 16 assists in 58 games with the Flyers this season while Schenn has 12 goals and 26 assists in 62 games with the Blues.
Could Toronto go for a big fish like Schenn, who has a Stanley Cup and a past with Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube? Or might they go with the cheaper option salary-wise in Laughton?
Action continues to swirl around Laughton with several teams tracking. Meanwhile, the Blues position on Schenn hasn’t changed. He won’t be traded unless a team steps up and pushes Armstrong to go to Schenn and ask him to waive NTC. I believe a team will make it interesting.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 28, 2025
Four more days remain until we find out that answer.
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