NHL Rumors: Brad Marchand Had Been Thinking Maple Leafs, and the Blue Line Priority

There was a path that would have led to Brad Marchand being a Toronto Maple Leaf

Chris Johnston: Brad Marchand said yesterday that “it was between Florida and Toronto where I was going to go,” in free agency last offseason. Given the Panthers salary cap situation, he didn’t think he’d be able to return.

TSN: Chris Johnston says that Marchand’s comments likely have people thinking he’s just trolling Maple Leafs fans, but he was 100% serious that there was path for him playing for the Maple Leafs.

“The thinking on his end of things last spring was that Florida wouldn’t have the cap space or the ability to re-sign him with Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also due to be UFAs. And on the Leafs’ end of this ledger, they were very interested in Marchand.

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In fact, sources say that in June, there were things they could have done in terms of adding players that they held off doing because they didn’t want to use up the cap space it would have taken to bring him in as a free agent.

So, this union didn’t happen. Of course, the Panthers win a Cup. They come up with a creative six-year offer to keep them. But if he hit the open market, I think it was quite likely the Leafs would have been in there big time.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ focus right now is their blue line

TSN: Darren Dreger said that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is going to teams about what they may be able to add before the March 6th NHL trade deadline. The Leafs are looking to improve their blue line.

“But the primary focus right now is on their blue line. And I think that Leafs fans can appreciate why that would be. The problem that Treliving has right now, like a lot of general managers looking for defence, is that the market is thin.

NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs – Mangiapane, and their Blue Line

We’re talking about older defence, perhaps the end of their run, and third pairing guys. So, there hasn’t been a fit that surfaced just yet. Getting Brandon Carlo back will make a difference. That’s certainly a boost, especially with the long-term uncertainty of another veteran defenceman in Chris Tanev.”

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