NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs Circling Back on Blackhawks Goaltender

Monday, March 21, 2022

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks have been in contact these past couple of weeks as the two sides almost worked out a trade that would have sent a massive package to the Blackhawks in exchange for forward Brandon Hagel and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Talks crumbled as the Leafs were doing whatever they could to hold onto their first-round picks, meanwhile Chicago hit the trigger on a deal sending Hagel to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fleury remains and Toronto hasn't gone away as the two sides continue to talk trade on Monday.

Fleury holds all the cards and has yet to be asked about being open to a trade. Some believe a move to Toronto would be something the reigning Vezina trophy winner would consider. There's also been some rumblings about the Minnesota Wild being involved as general manager Bill Guerin and Fleury won a Stanley Cup together back with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Maple Leafs are going to be in tough if the Wild are serious about Fleury, due to the fact they can't find themselves in a bidding war with only limited resources. Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is reluctant to move a first-round pick and just gave up a bunch of picks to acquire Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell from the Seattle Kraken.

While the Maple Leafs continue in the negotiate the waters with the Blackhawks, it feels like the Wild are going to step up with a huge offer and outbid Dubas and company. Regardless, look for Fleury to be moved before Monday afternoon's deadline.

Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports



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