Breaking: Leafs reportedly table an offer for star defenseman

Since almost the start of the season, the Leafs had been linked to a few defensemen on Treliving's old team, the Calgary Flames. First it was Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev. Unfortunately, they were unable to land Zadorov as he was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks, but have continued talks with the Flames about Tanev.

Recently, with the Flames holding out hope for a first-round pick for Tanev, something the Leafs do not want to trade for a rental, the Leafs have also held discussions about another Flames blueliner, Noah Hanifin. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs have made an offer to the Flames for the 6'3, 207 pound, 27-year-old. There is one catch, though, says Friedman. The Leafs won't move forward with processing the trade unless they know that they can re-sign Hanifin to an extension.

Friedman did not reveal the details of the trade offer, but assuming an extension is part of the deal, the return for the Flames would likely be a large one, involving not only the Leafs' 1st round pick, but perhaps a top prospect and more as well.

The move makes sense if the Leafs can sign Hanifin to an extension given that Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie are aging and will both be free agents at the end of the season, further depleting the left side of the Leafs blueline. Treliving has said from the start that he does not want to trade his first-round pick for a rental player and although many fans are begging him to do it for Tanev to shore up the right side, long-term, acquiring a lefty in his prime that can play in all situations, makes just as much sense, given what we know about Brodie and Giordano.

With just over three weeks until the trade deadline and with discussions heating up, Treliving and the Leafs will be watched with a microscope by the media as they look to seek upgrades when and where they can. With a player like Hanifin, if they can bring him in with an extension in place, it does greatly benefit the team both now and in the future.