Per Report, Maple Leafs May Dangle Top Prospect in Order to Facilitate Blockbuster Trade

Greener pastures were always required between the Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Mitch Marner. However, replacing his offensive production is going to be a tall task, and so far, the Leafs have nothing to show for it aside from Matias Maccelli and some depth signings.

That's not to say that general manager Brad Treliving can't get it done or isn't working the phones, but top-6 forwards don't come cheap, and the ones that are currently available are going to demand a solid return.

After falling short in their pursuit of forwards Brock Boeser and Jordan Kyrou before July 1st, the Leafs are starting to up the ante a little bit by preparing offers that include high-end prospects like Ben Danford, according to David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period.

 

The Leafs won't just hand Danford over, but considering his potential and first round draft value, Treliving would be able to acquire a fairly important piece for the present and the future if he does opt to use Danford as trade bait. It's something that Toronto has to at least consider with their window of contention being wide open at the moment.

With the way they're currently built, at least compared to the best the NHL has to offer, it's not looking great for the Leafs, which makes finding a top-6 forward to play alongside Auston Matthews that much more important.

The Maple Leafs could revisit trade talks with St. Louis over Jordan Kyrou, but he has a full no-trade clause. Jason Robertson could be available out of Dallas, and there's a sense that there's severe tension in Anaheim regarding Mason McTavish, so the Leafs do have options.

Treliving will have to get very creative when factoring in remaining cap space and lack of draft capital,.but prospects like Danford should be considered if it means landing a top-tier forward for the foreseeable future.