Maple Leafs Miss Out on Another Top Trade Target in Brock Nelson; Rantanen Deal Also Imminent

The Toronto Maple Leafs will enter the final hours of the trade deadline scrambling to locate new trade targets after Brock Nelson was traded late last night and Mikko Rantanen is on the cusp of being dealt/extended.

The haul for Nelson was very steep as the Avalanche coughed up top prospect Callum Ritchie, a first round pick, a third round pick, and Oliver Kylington for William Dufour and the aforementioned Nelson at 50% salary retention.

Elliotte Friedman then reported that a framework for a deal had been completed for Rantanen between the Stars and the Hurricanes but that they were waiting on confirmation as to whether or not there was an extension attached to the Finnish forward.

As of now, the deal for Rantanen has not materialized, but typically, where there's smoke, there's fire. As such, this thing may get hammered out in short order.

That's disheartening news for the Leafs as they essentially paused their pursuits for other targets after it was made clear that the Carolina Hurricanes were moving off of Rantanen.

It was being reported that the asking price for the Finnish star started with Matthew Knies, which would have only been acceptable to Brad Treliving if it came with a long-term commitment.

Nelson was another player that the Maple Leafs held in high regard, especially to fill in as a potential 3C behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

Unfortunately for Toronto, the Avalanche were willing to pay up considerably, which is something that Treliving has been very apprehensive about so far.

Of the remaining names that could spark interest for the Maple Leafs, Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton, and even Rasmus Ristolainen remain available, but at a very high price. It will now assuredly cost a first round pick plus a prospect to get anyone of significance.

The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have been very active on the trade front, the Western Conference is beefing up, and the remaining options are dwindling as we get closer to the 11th hour.