Maple Leafs' trade with Avalanche takes an interesting turn after Elliotte Friedman's latest comments
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Elliotte Friedman says the Colorado pick is likely a premium chip as the Maple Leafs hunt for a difference maker on defense, along with a couple of top prospects.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a blue line problem, and Elliotte Friedman has a good idea of what they would pay to fix it.
On the 32 Thoughts podcast, he said he would assume the Colorado pick is one of their A assets, along with a couple of top prospects who are not in the NHL yet.
Re: 'A' assets: "I would assume that the Colorado pick is one of those things. I would assume that a couple of their prospects are, a couple of their top prospects would be not in the NHL would be a couple of those things."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
That lines up with what Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines.
Toronto does not want a quick patch.
The Leafs will pay a premium asset for a true difference maker on defense, but they will not hand over their best pieces for a B-level replacement.
They would also consider moving an older player to get a younger one.
What the Colorado pick is worth
Toronto landed that pick from the Avalanche in the Nic Roy trade back in March.
It is a 2027 first-round selection, and because Colorado is one of the top teams in the league, it figures to land very late in the round.
There is a catch, though. If it falls inside the top 10, it flips into Colorado's unprotected 2028 first instead.
Where Chayka goes from here
GM John Chayka has plenty to sort out.
Toronto's defense is one of the oldest in the league, and Chris Tanev's injury has made the lack of mobility easier to spot.
The Leafs did beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Monday night, but the need on the back end has not gone anywhere.
Friedman did not name the prospects he had in mind.
Reports have floated Ben Danford and Tinus Luc Koblar as young pieces that could draw interest.
Whoever the target ends up being, the price will not be small.
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