SEARCH


Report: Maple Leafs inquired about big names on blueline before trio of deals for defencemen

PUBLICATION
Cooper Godin
March 5, 2023  (9:45)
SHARE THIS STORY

The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the most active teams leading up to the NHL's trade deadline, adding Noel Acciari, Sam Lafferty and Ryan O'Reilly up front, as well as Erik Gustafsson, Jake McCabe and Luke Schenn on the back end.

Before the Maple Leafs made deals to acquire Gustafsson, McCabe and Schenn, the team reportedly looked at making a bigger move on the blueline, as according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, they inquired with the Nashville Predators about Mattias Ekholm and the San Jose Sharks about Erik Karlsson.

"They did look at a couple of very interesting things too and one of them was Mattias Ekholm, who is playing for the Oilers now. The other was Erik Karlsson, who is still in San Jose." Friedman said.

He went on to add, "The Maple Leafs did inquire on both players, did think about both players, but I just don't think the math was possible at all. With what San Jose was willing to retain and as we saw, Nashville only retained 4% of Ekholm's salary. So Toronto did what it did, they're pretty happy with that, btu they did look and consider those other options. It just didn't make cap sense."

As Friedman mentioned, multiple times, the money wouldn't have worked with either deal for Ekholm or Karlsson, but they were still able to add some quality names on defence, the most intriguing being Jake McCabe, who isn't a rental, as he has one year left on his contract after this season, with the Blackhawks retaining 50%.

The Maple Leafs are facing down a first round battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which is more than likely to occur for the second consecutive year, but do they have what it takes to win their first playoff series since 2004? Have your say in the poll below!

Source: Elliotte Friedman - 32 Thoughts (HNIC)

POLL
MARS 5   |   181 ANSWERS
Report: Maple Leafs inquired about big names on blueline before trio of deals for defencemen

With the additions they've made, will the Maple Leafs make it past the first round of the playoffs?

Yes4826.5 %
No9552.5 %
See Results3821 %
LIST OF POLLS

TRENDING NOW
2025-2026
NHL STANDINGS
GPWLOLPTS
Sabres8250239109
Lightning8250266106
Canadiens82482410106
Bruins82452710100
Senators8244271199
Red Wings8241311092
Panthers824038484
Maple Leafs8232361478
GPWLOLPTS
Hurricanes8253227113
Penguins8241251698
Flyers8243271298
Capitals824330995
Blue Jackets8240301292
Islanders824334591
Devils824237387
Rangers823439977
GPWLOLPTS
Avalanche82551611121
Stars82502012112
Wild82462412104
Mammoth824333692
Blues8237331286
Predators8238341086
Jets8235351282
Blackhawks8229391472
GPWLOLPTS
Golden Knights8239261795
Oilers8241301193
Ducks824333692
Kings8235272090
Sharks823935886
Kraken8234371179
Flames823439977
Canucks822549858
COMPLETE STANDINGS