Marek: “With John Klingberg sidelined due to hip surgery for the remainder of the season, his $4.15 million cap hit will be placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), giving Brad Treliving room to explore trade options. Currently, there is talk about Nikita Zadorov, particularly linked to Vancouver, while Chris Tanev’s status remains uncertain.

Who else is on your radar for the Toronto Maple Leafs? I aim to guide you toward several names, but first, who are your initial thoughts regarding Toronto’s direction?”

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Friedman: “My focus is on finding right-handed defensemen with an edge, as Treliving has indicated in the past. However, Tanev is a unique case; despite his high rental rate, the Leafs might consider him for a long-term contract. This could change their approach compared to typical rental players.

There’s also been buzz around Noah Hanifin, but the asking price as a rental seems steep, especially considering what he could command in free agency. It’s unclear if the Leafs can swing that deal. Additionally, I wrote about Rasmus Ristolainen today, and while I received mixed feedback, some believe Toronto is at least evaluating his situation. However, I’m not convinced Sean Walker is their target; they might seek someone with more physicality.

Overall, I’m in the process of identifying potential targets for the Leafs, but it’s not always straightforward, given the fluctuations in team rosters and the evolving trade landscape. We need to be cautious in determining who could fit into their plans.”

Marek: “Let’s discuss another name. I’ve heard some teams are making inquiries about him, but nothing appears to be imminent. How do you feel about Nick Seeler from the Philadelphia Flyers, who will be a free agent at the end of this season?”

Friedman: “Absolutely, that’s a name worth considering. The Leafs have had their eyes on Philadelphia, and Seeler fits the bill as a potential asset. However, the Flyers are experiencing a successful run right now, so there’s little incentive for them to shake things up.

Philadelphia’s management, including Danny Briere and Keith Jones, understands the dynamics of a winning locker room and the potential impact of making trades during this positive stretch. Thus, they may hesitate to alter their roster at this point, especially since Seeler has been a valuable contributor to their success. The organization will need to weigh their options carefully, as they also like Walker, who is having a standout season. Keeping Seeler is certainly on their minds, but they face tough decisions ahead.

Additionally, regarding the Leafs, it’s important to note that they might prefer to negotiate with teams for salary retention, which could affect any potential deals. We previously discussed Calgary’s trade dynamics involving Zadorov and Tanev, where the main concern was retention costs and the trade price. These factors will play a significant role in any discussions moving forward.”

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Marek: “That makes sense.”

Friedman: “In any deal the Leafs pursue, understanding the retention costs and additional expenses for players will be crucial. I believe Seeler is a solid candidate, but I remain skeptical about whether the Flyers will be motivated to make any moves right now, given their current situation.”