TSN Insider outlines blockbuster trade that almost was between Blackhawks and Maple Leafs

Brandon Hagel is now a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning after being traded to the defending Stanley Cup Champions on Friday in return for a pretty big haul. However, according to TSN Insider Darren Dreger, he was almost a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he would have been taking another big name from the Chicago Blackhawks with him.

"Here's a deal that didn't happen," said Dreger on Twitter. "Chicago and Toronto discussed Hagel and [Marc-Andre] Fleury to the Leafs for [Petr] Mrazek, Matthew Knies and 1st round picks. Never reached a stage where Fleury was asked officially to waive."

Dreger explained that the requested return was simply too steep for the Leafs.

"Toronto declined based on the futures involved," he said. "Toronto sees promise in [Joseph] Woll and [Erik] Kallgren and most definitely, Jack Campbell. It was a massive ask on the futures and potentially a portion of those futures can be used on shoring up Toronto's D."

Kallgren has played just three games in the NHL so far, but has showed plenty of potential, going 2-0-1, with a 1.20 goals against average and a .963 save percentage. However, there's no telling whether he can continue that pace. Both Campbell and Mrazek have struggled as of late. Landing Fleury could have been a huge step in ensuring a stable presence between the pipes in the playoffs. At the same time, it's not really clear whether he would have waived his no-trade clause to go to Toronto.

MUST READ

4 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Owen Tippett mocks Crosby on a puck with Philly up 3-0

4 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Nikita Kucherov hurt in Game 3 as Canadiens take series lead

5 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Lane Hutson wins Game 3 in OT but refs steal the show

6 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Oilers suffer late lineup blow before pivotal Game 3 in Anaheim

7 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Kirby Dach silences the noise with a clutch goal in Game 3

8 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Police called as Canadiens playoff crowd erupts outside Centre Bell

9 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Martin St-Louis drops Kirby Dach to fourth line for Game 3

9 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Knoblauch hints at major Game 3 shake-up as Oilers face early pressure

MORE STORIES