The Maple Leafs’ hope of landing Simon Edvinsson has already run into a hard stop.
David Pagnotta addressed the chatter on Daily Faceoff Live and didn’t leave much room for optimism, saying, “Toronto poked around, I don't think that's gonna happen.”
That lands as a real blow for a Toronto team that could use a defender with Edvinsson’s profile right now. The Leafs are looking for a true shutdown presence, or at least someone who can step in for Chris Tanev and give them the kind of defensive support needed to hold off the rest of the NHL. Their blue line is not exactly loaded, and with injuries and age becoming factors, the club needs reinforcements for a difficult postseason push.
Edvinsson, 23, fits the description of the kind of player Toronto would want. He’s the sort of no-frills defender who blocks shots, finishes hits and brings the sandpaper this group could use on the back end.
He would also add the youth and mobility the Leafs are chasing. What he won’t bring is much in the way of offense, which means that job would still fall on Darren Raddysh and Morgan Rielly, even if Edvinsson’s presence would make their lives easier.
The real issue for Toronto may be the price. If the Red Wings decide to move Edvinsson, the cost could climb quickly, and talk has centered on Ben Danford plus a collection of draft picks.
Danford would be a strong young shutdown piece in his own right, but Toronto would be far more comfortable with that than surrendering Easton Cowan. The Leafs simply can’t afford to move him, and it would be better to walk away than take that kind of risk.
If Danford is where the conversation starts, Toronto has to do everything it can to keep it there. Anything beyond that, especially if more draft capital gets pushed into the mix, could create serious problems for the Maple Leafs. John Chayka can’t afford to get impatient, even with his reputation for being active.
In the end, a deal hinges not just on whether Detroit is willing to move Edvinsson, but on what it expects back. For Toronto, the line is clear: the return can’t be someone they’ll regret losing, and Easton Cowan is at the top of that list.
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Philadelphias angle is part of what makes the idea interesting, because the Flyers appear more open to players who can help them sooner rather than a package built around draft capital. Ristolainen is on injured reserve but is close to returning, and with no trade protection and free agency looming this summer, his situation gives Toronto another familiar deadline-style dilemma to weigh as it looks for defense without paying too steep a price. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Blue-Line Need Makes One Dream Trade Worth Watching
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The catch is obvious: this kind of move does not exist in a vacuum, and the path to even getting in the conversation would depend on Nashvilles season going off the rails. If the Predators keep sliding and start considering bigger roster changes, Toronto would have to decide how far it is willing to go, with a serious pursuit likely costing a major asset such as Ben Danford or Easton Cowan. For now, it is the sort of trade rumor that says as much about the Leafs need as it does about how rare the solution might be. [Read more 🡒]