The Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving did not have many high-end assets to move leading up to this year's trade deadline. There had been reports recently that Treliving was being as creative as he could in crafting proposals using mid-round picks and prospects to try to push deals over the finish line, but many wondered if he would be forced to trade Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan and/or the Leafs' first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Fortunately, Treliving made it very clear weeks ago that those three assets, along with Matthew Knies were not being moved. Following the deadline, Treliving was asked about how close he came to dealing Cowan and their first-round pick and his response should surprise no one.
Many fans were begging Treliving to not trade Cowan or Minten for a rental player, but would have been okay with it for a player that was going to be in Toronto long-term. Cowan is currently riding an incredible 31-game point streak with the OHL's London Knights and has quickly looked like a steal at 28th overall.
While Treliving did not move Cowan, Minten or the 2024 first-round pick ahead of the deadline, and although he doesn't appear to want to move Cowan at all, the trio of assets could once again come into play at and around this year's draft. For now, though, Leaf fans should be thanking Treliving for not risking the future for rental players like his predecessor, Kyle Dubas, became known for.
