Insider Confirms That Leafs GM Brad Treliving Is Looking to Make a Blockbuster Trade Before the Deadline

PUBLICATION

Julien Trekker
December 4, 2024 (12:02)

SHARE THIS STORY

An NHL insider confirmed that Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving is looking to make a blockbuster trade before the deadline.

The Leafs are once again having a great season, leading the Atlantic Division with a 15-7-3 record after 24 games.

As we all know, regular-season success doesn't mean anything if the team can't win in the playoffs.

While they are off to a great start, General Manager Brad Treliving knows that he'll need to help his team ahead of the playoffs.

He had to recall some young guys from the AHL, such as Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, to fill holes in the lineup left by injuries. Even though they are performing well, Treliving will need to do more than that if he wants his team to avoid another first-round elimination.

Fortunately, Treliving and the Leafs have all they need to make a splash on the market.

In the latest episode of the Real Kyper and Bourne Podcast, the insider Nick Kypreos stated that the Leafs are positioning themselves as contenders to win the Atlantic Division, and they must "go big this year".

However, he added they are in no rush to make a move, as they can rely on their depth forward Pontus Holmberg while they evaluate their options.

"Holmberg can buy them time. Holmberg is buying them time for the eventual trade their gonna make. Looking for a center. Go big, this is the year to go big. It'll feel like another Ryan O'Reilly trade."

According to him, it would also make sense to see Treliving wait until the salary cap gets higher before pulling off a blockbuster move:

"Still a cap issue, we're excited the [salary] cap's going up. But it's not going up in the next three months, so there's some juggling on that front, and see how things open up.

Teams are now figuring out the contenders and pretenders, but they're winning, they're in a great position to win the Atlantic, there's no race to get a centerman today."

It'll be interesting to see what Treliving decides to do. But if his team continues to perform and the GM believes they could have a long playoff run, he could decide to go all-in at the deadline.

POLL
DECEMBRE 4 \| 945 ANSWERS Insider Confirms That Leafs GM Brad Treliving Is Looking to Make a Blockbuster Trade Before the Deadline Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs will make a blockbuster trade before the deadline?
Yes	517	54.7 %
No	428	45.3 %
List of polls

MUST READ

Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) controls the puck during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

1 hour ago | By Tom Banks

Brandon Hagel Puts the Final Nail in the Coffin After Latest Shot at the Tkachuk Brothers and Team USA

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) stops Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

2 hours ago | By Tom Banks

Brady Tkachuk and Insider Both Give Devastating Update On Matthew Tkachuk's Injury Situation

Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy after winning against Team USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

3 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente

Brad Marchand Puts the Tkachuk Brothers on Blast Following Championship Win

Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and forward Anthony Cirelli (71) try and find the loose puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

17 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery

Team Canada Star Defenseman Ruled Out Moments Before Final Showdown with Team USA

Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) shoots the puck while Team Finland defenseman Olli Maata (3) defends during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

17 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery

American Reporter Mocks Connor McDavid Hours Ahead of the Biggest Game of his Life

Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

19 hours ago | By Tom Banks

NHL Players Reportedly Prioritizing Four Nations: Will Miss Time With Their Teams

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

22 hours ago | By Tom Banks

Charlie McAvoy Sends Team USA and the World a Message After Leaving the Hospital

Dec 12, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Dennis Cholowski (25) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks with right wing Simon Holmstrom (10) during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

23 hours ago | By Tom Banks