Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talked about their main conclusions from Friday’s media and management press conference for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friedman stated that while it is evident that MLSE CEO Keith Pelley is in charge, on-ice adjustments will be made by GM Brad Treliving and President Brendan Shanahan. There will also be modifications. Though neither explicitly stated that the “Core Four” was changing, they both discussed how now is not the time for patience. Despite this, there wasn’t much appreciation for what Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares had accomplished together. Years were granted to each to make a difference. They couldn’t manage to achieve that.

The topic of untouchables on the roster and who is safe, if anyone, was then discussed by Marek and Friedman. They both agreed that the only player who wasn’t allowed was Matthews. Marek didn’t think the team would trade Nylander, but Friedman advised the Maple Leafs to take a look at the offer if it came from a legitimate NHL team.

Since the Leafs have just one or maybe two players on their list of untouchables, Marner, Tavares, and defenseman Morgan Rielly are all up for grabs in summer trade negotiations.

Tavares, Marner, and Rielly Being Discussed in Trade Talks?

According to Nick Kypreos, teams have already gotten in contact with the Maple Leafs regarding Marner. Even if his deal increases to $100 million, other clubs are interested in signing him despite his no-move clause and complete leverage to block a trade. It’s obvious that he’s a gifted player who can score 100 points. It is not common for those kinds of forwards to become accessible on the trade market. It makes sense to hear that clubs are interested in learning the asking price if you are able to obtain one through trade.

Selling Tavares might be more difficult. He doesn’t want to leave, but if the Leafs decide to keep paying him in the last year of his contract, they could be able to trade him if he’s amenable. If Tavares is informed that the Leafs are moving on, he may feel compelled to refute the organization out of pride.

Here, Rielly emerges as a compelling figure. He is possibly the only top-pairing defenseman on the squad. Toronto aims to rebuild their blue line in its whole if they are willing to move him. Mark Giordano, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, and TJ Brodie are all pending UFAs. Timothy Liljegren is a pending RFA, Jake McCabe has one season left, and the Leafs can’t really assemble a roster around Conor Timmins and Simon Benoit.

What Kind of Trade Will the Maple Leafs Be Looking At?

It makes sense to assume that defense and goaltending will take center stage if trading one or even two of their core four is the plan, and if the Leafs are willing to deal Rielly (who also has a no-move clause). While Treliving and Shanahan agreed that the playoffs’ dearth of goals scored is a major issue, Treliving also brought up Joseph Woll’s ongoing injury worries. Ilya Samsonov is probably not coming back.

Toronto might be searching for a different kind of defender and a way to replace some of the scoring that would be lost if and when Marner left for another team if Rielly were to be moved. Treliving discussed the need for goals akin to those in the playoffs, and Shanahan noted that production in the regular season and the postseason differs significantly. The Leafs may be searching for players with postseason experience.