Maple Leafs Officially Linked to Former Top-5 Draft Pick by Trusted NHL Insider

The Maple Leafs roll into the NHL Draft weekend with limited draft capital, and no pick for the 1st round, which makes improving the team somewhat challenging, especially with Mitch Marner set to walk via free agency.

That, coupled with the fact that we're looking at a very thin UFA market on July 1st, and it's seeming more and more likely that if the Leafs want to change the DNA in Toronto, it will have to happen by means of one or more substantial trades.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs are one of at least 7 teams who are keen to acquire former 4th overall pick Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres.

The problem is that the Leafs do not have much draft capital to work with, meaning that they may have to use other means of acquiring a player of Byram's ilk, such as a trade package that includes one of their top prospects in Easton Cowan or Ben Danford. There are also rumours floating around that Brandon Carlo may be used as a trade chip in Toronto.

Byram has a lengthy history of injuries and has played just one full season in his young NHL career. This past season, the Cranbrook, British Columbia native played in all 82 games, amassing 7 goals and 38 points for the struggling Sabres.

Byram is a restricted free agent who made less than $4M last season.

He'll be looking for a substantial raise this summer, and the Leafs are in a good place financially, and can offer Byram the deal that he's looking for, while in the process, injecting some young blood into an aging blueline.