Leafs GM Brad Treliving Seeking 3-Team Trade For Cap Relief
With the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs, aiming for a deep playoff run, are navigating a complex financial landscape. General Manager Brad Treliving's strategy centers on a crucial element: the involvement of a third team in any potential deals.
This isn't merely a preference, but a necessity driven by the constraints of the salary cap.
Brad Adamant About Involving Third Team
The search for a third team isn't simply about offloading a small percentage of a player's salary. It's about maximizing every dollar, especially with potential extensions for key players like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies looming on the horizon.
In a recent article from The Athletic, NHL insiders Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun broke down every team's outlook heading into the trade deadline.
On the topic of the Maple Leafs, they mention how the need for salary retention brings a need for a third team:
"It's nearly decision time after a months-long pursuit of a third-line center. The Leafs have looked at Brayden Schenn in St. Louis and Scott Laughton in Philadelphia, while keeping tabs on fall-back rental options like Montreal's Jake Evans, Seattle's Yanni Gourde and Utah's Nick Bjugstad. Meanwhile, GM Brad Treliving is also hoping to procure another depth defenseman who can play the right side. A tight cap situation looms over every decision in Toronto, which is why Treliving is likely to seek salary retention from any seller and/or use another team as a third-party broker to make the money work," Johnston and LeBrun wrote.
Cap Constraints
The team is also looking to move out some current contracts such as those of Ryan Reaves, Jani Hakanpaa, and Conor Timmins, to help create more cap space.
Players like Scott Laughton and Yanni Gourde, while valuable, come with significant cap hits. Even seemingly affordable options like Colin Miller and Nick Bjugstad, while less expensive, require careful consideration within the broader financial picture.
Currently, Laughton makes $3M and Gourde is making over $5M.
Who should #LeafsForever set their sights on? 🎯@mirtle sorts through Toronto's options ahead of Friday's fast-approaching trade deadline with @JDBunkis.
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) March 3, 2025
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Treliving's approach echoes the strategic maneuvering seen in other cap-strapped situations, such as the Chicago Blackhawks' handling of the Mikko Rantanen trade.
By leveraging a third team, the Leafs can effectively spread the financial burden, allowing them to acquire necessary talent without jeopardizing their long-term financial health.
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