Insider reveals what the Leafs are planning to do with some of their top trade chips
Things picked up around the NHL on Monday, with multiple trades having taken place and some very interesting reports surfacing about the Leafs. We found out, thanks to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, that the Leafs are doing what they can to try to extend Noel Acciari, Ryan O'Reilly, Luke Schenn and Ilya Samsonov. We also know that Alexander Kerfoot, Justin Holl, Michael Bunting and David Kampf are all likely gone this summer. However, we also found out where the Leafs stand on some of their most important trade chips.
Per Friedman, the Leafs will not even entertain offers on rookie forward Matthew Knies. While Knies remains untouchable, the same cannot be said for Nick Robertson, whom Elliotte Friedman stated would be available should the right deal come along.
Perhaps the most intriguing update on the Leafs' trade chips was about their 1st round pick, which is 28th overall and had originally belonged to Boston. Friedman revealed that the Leafs are open to moving the pick, but that if they were going to move it, they'd prefer to move it in a deal for a player some some term or someone that the team could control for multiple seasons.
A lot of people are assuming that with all of the recent news regarding Calgary Flames players wanting out and informing new Flames GM Craig Conroy that they don't plan to re-sign in Calgary next summer, that Brad Treliving will swoop in and try to nab at least one of Noah Hanifin, Tyler Toffoli, or Elias Lindholm. However, given what we know now about the Leafs' top trade pieces, these players may not fit the bill - at least not in a deal where Robertson or their 1st round pick are going the other way.
