NHL Rumors: Two Maple Leafs Described As "Non-Starters" In Trade Talks

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to lead the league in defensemen trade rumors, as it is quite clear that GM Brad Treliving won't rest until he improves the team's blueline. 

But according to a report by The Fourth Period's Anthony Di Marco, two young players are off limits in any trade discussions.

Prospect forwards Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten were described to me as 'non-starters' for the Leafs.

Cowan, the Leafs' first-round pick in the 2023 Draft (28th overall), is off to a rollicking start for the London Knights of the OHL, with 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in just 23 games thus far. He's also a plus-10. 

Minten, at 19, one year older than Cowan, started the year with a four-game trial with the Buds, then went back to the WHL, where he was traded from Kamloops to the Saskatoon Blades, and has two goals and five points in six games. Minten racked up 31 goals and 67 points in 57 games for Kamloops last season. He was Toronto's second-round pick, No. 38 overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Both players have been named to the final roster for Canada's World Juniors team. 

With those two off the table, says Di Marco, just what exactly Treliving is willing to sacrifice is anybody's guess at this point. He added that in any talks with the Philadelphia Flyers about their two potentially available D-men, Nick Seeler and Sean Walker, the Leafs were "not prepared to part with their first-round pick" either. 

"The coy approach of Toronto has left more than one team a little frustrated with trade talks," notes Di Marco. 

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