Maple Leafs reportedly exploring trades for two of the NHL's top defensemen
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Maple Leafs have held loose talks with Carolina about Alexander Nikishin and Detroit about Simon Edvinsson as they hunt for a defenceman, per a new report.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are shopping for help on the back end, and the phone calls have started.
A Fourth Period report says Toronto has talked with multiple teams about adding a defenceman.
That includes loose, exploratory conversations with the Hurricanes about Alexander Nikishin and with the Red Wings about Simon Edvinsson.
"The Maple Leafs have been in talks with multiple teams about a defenceman, and have held loose, exploratory talks with the Hurricanes about Alexander Nikishin and the Red Wings about Simon Edvinsson."
Neither name comes out of nowhere.
Both are young, unsigned restricted free agents, and both have reportedly pushed for a trade.
That makes them rare targets in a league where good defencemen usually stay put.
Why Nikishin fits Toronto
Nikishin scored 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games as a rookie, then helped Carolina win the Stanley Cup.
He still has no contract, and the Hurricanes have not found a trade they like, even after a framework with the Rangers fell apart over money.
Toronto needs this kind of help after finishing last season 31st in goals against, and the Leafs opened up about $7 million in cap space earlier this fall by placing Max Domi and Dakota Joshua on long-term injured reserve.
The Edvinsson factor
Edvinsson, the sixth overall pick in 2021, is stuck in a contract stalemate with Detroit and has been training in Sweden.
Reports say he wants a long term deal while the Red Wings leaned toward a bridge, though Detroit insists re-signing him is still the goal.
Either way, any team that lands him or Nikishin also inherits a December 1 deadline.
If neither is signed by then, they can't play in 2026-27.
Loose, exploratory talks are a long way from a deal, and nothing suggests one is close.
Still, the interest says plenty about where the front office sees the biggest hole.
With December 1 getting closer, this one could heat up fast for the Leafs.
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