Insider reveals just how close the Leafs were to trading Alex Kerfoot

First of all, I hope Leafs GM Kyle Dubas gets his contract extension. He deserves it, for sure, and regardless of what people had to say about him before this trade deadline, I think he's silenced a lot of his doubters by not only getting deeper, but also getting a lot tougher and harder to play against in the process.

In terms of the Kerfoot trade rumours, there were even Insiders that were reporting right up until deadline day that Kerfoot was likely to be moved by the Leafs. One such Insider was Elliotte Friedman.

During his most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman revisited the Kerfoot situation after having gotten some clarity on it all, stating that even with all of the rumours, the Leafs had never intended to move Kerfoot at all. The evidence of that can be found in the Ryan O'Reilly trade.

Sheldon Keefe and Kyle Dubas have always liked Kerfoot for some reason. They've always trusted him and they've always leaned on him. Yes, he is a versatile player and yes he can make plays, but he remains one of the more frustrating players on the team because of his undeniable lack of finishing ability. That, combined with the fact that he's making $3.5M to play largely on the third and fourth lines was enough to lead everyone to the conclusion that he would definitely be moved.

Now, while most are surprised that Kerfoot wasn't moved, it also makes sense from the Leafs' perspective to keep as many versatile players on the roster as possible, because you never know what types of situations you'll face in the playoffs. Every year, there's an unlikely playoff hero. Who's to say that, this year, it won't be Kerfoot for the Leafs?