NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs Rejected Hurricanes Trade Offer

The Toronto Maple Leafs were one team in on the Ethan Bear sweepstakes. The right-handed defenseman was not receiving any playing time in Carolina and the Hurricanes eventually moved him to the Vancouver Canucks. Turns out the 'Canes and Maple Leafs were close to a deal, however Toronto rejected Carolina's final offer before he was then moved to Vancouver.

Rumor has the negotiations hit a snag when the Hurricanes wanted the Maple Leafs to include a draft-pick in the deal, something Leafs GM Kyle Dubas wanted no part of for a depth defenseman. Toronto has been slammed with injuries on their blue line to start the season and it makes sense the team was trying to acquire another NHL defenseman.

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired Ethan Bear and Lane Pederson from Carolina in exchange for 5th round draft pick 2023. The Hurricanes also retained $400K of Bear's cap hit. This is great trade for Vancouver in our eyes. Bear should be one of the best defensemen on the team. pic.twitter.com/qaaWkLohKi

— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) October 29, 2022

As we saw with the eventual deal of Bear heading to Vancouver, the move included a fifth-round pick and a prospect going to the Hurricanes. Sounds like Dubas and company would have been ok sending a prospect, however were not interested in shipping out any more future draft picks.

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