Falling short on a Markstrom deal, who would’ve waived his no-trade clause for Toronto, hurts the Leafs. But it doesn’t have to ruin their off-season.
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The New Jersey Devils landing veteran goaltender Jacob Markström should have sent alarm bells ringing in the Leafs front office.
After all, I’m told Toronto was very much in on the Markström sweepstakes and the Calgary Flames netminder, who had a full no-trade clause, would have waived it for a move to the Leafs.
Instead, the three major goalies garnering attention this off-season have been Markström in Calgary, Juuse Saros in Nashville and Linus Ullmark in Boston. All three would be biggest name to take over the Leafs’ starting role in a very long time.
With two years remaining on his deal, 34-year-old Markström would have been the ideal candidate to buy some time for Woll to continue developing alongside him, but the Leafs swung and missed on that one.
Treliving is rumoured to be in on just about every trade candidate we hear about, but crossing the goal-line to get a deal done is another story. Falling short on the Markström trade hurts the Leafs, but it doesn’t have to ruin their off-season.
Saros, 29, and Ullmark, 30, have one year remaining on their contracts. They aren’t as likely to be traded as Markström was, but could certainly be had at the right price. Treliving needs to go out and make an offer they can’t refuse before somebody else does.
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The Leafs continue to look at all options when it comes to their top six forwards next season. There’s word they may have interest in pending Bruins free-agent Jake DeBrusk, who’s been a Leafs playoff killer over the years.
