There's reason to believe that the Maple Leafs will soon make a trade

With several critical signings already secured to strengthen the team's defense and goaltending, the focus now shifts to the potential trades that could be brewing as the summer progresses.

Toronto's primary concerns heading into the offseason revolved around bolstering their defensive lineup and securing a reliable presence between the pipes. Treliving has addressed these needs effectively by bringing on board veteran defensemen Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa. These additions are expected to significantly enhance the Leafs' blueline stability. In goal, Anthony Stolarz has been signed, a move designed to solidify the goaltending department and bring more consistency to the team's performances.

Forward Group Remains Largely Unchanged
Despite these strategic signings, the Leafs have not made notable changes to their forward lineup, especially after the departure of Tyler Bertuzzi, who signed a 4-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, commanding an annual salary of $5.5M. With Bertuzzi's exit, Toronto still has fifteen forwards competing for just twelve available roster spots. This surplus hints strongly at a potential trade on the horizon, as suggested in a tweet from

Nick Robertson emerges as a likely candidate for a trade, especially following his request to be moved. However, the Leafs' management might still be weighing their options, considering whether they can mend the relationship with Robertson and retain him on the roster. The team's strategy will also be influenced by their plans for younger players like Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, who may start the season in Junior and the American Hockey League, respectively.

The financial aspect cannot be overlooked. With the arbitration of Connor Dewar scheduled between July 20th and August 4th, the outcome could push the Leafs over their current salary cap space, which stands at less than $200,000. This tight financial situation makes it almost certain that Toronto will need to execute at least one trade to manage their salary cap effectively.

Treliving firmly believes that the true team-building phase occurs in the offseason. His past statements reflect a commitment to shaping the team's future through strategic moves during this period. With his track record of proactive management, it's reasonable to anticipate further actions�possibly a significant trade�over the next few weeks to optimize the team's roster before the season kicks off.

In conclusion, while the Maple Leafs have made some pivotal moves to strengthen specific areas, the anticipation of a trade adds an exciting layer of speculation about the team's final roster. As the arbitration date for Dewar approaches and the salary cap pressures mount, the Leafs' management is poised to make another impactful decision. For Leafs fans and observers, it's a period of watchful anticipation: Brad Treliving is indeed not done yet.

Source for cap info: PuckPedia
Maple Leafs salary cap info