Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has reportedly shifted gears and it appears as though his top priority is no longer adding a top-6 forward.

Treliving looking to add, but trades have been hard to come by

While a top-six forward was high on his wish-list, given the cap constraints the Leafs face, he has had trouble finding takers for the likes of Matias Maccelli, Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok.

Not to mention, he has very few assets that teams want and is reluctant to trade Ben Danford and Easton Cowan.

Leafs no longer prioritizing a top-6 forward

During their mid-November slump, the Leafs struggled mightily to move the puck up the ice and out of their zone. Those issues, along with injuries to Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo led to the Leafs claiming Troy Stecher off of waivers from the Edmonton Oilers.

The addition of Stecher was noticed immediately as he not only helped the Leafs move the puck more effectively, but added a needed mobility to the blueline.

While the NHL is in a holiday roster freeze, Treliving is surely working the phones to what The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta called a ‘big splash’ during his appearance on ‘Oilers Nation Everyday’ on Monday.

He also noted that Morgan Rielly’s name has re-emerged in trade rumours despite Treliving shifting focus to finding another defenseman.

“They’re looking for that puck mover on the back end,” shared Pagnotta

Rielly is one of the Leafs’ better puck-movers so it seems odd they would try to move him when they are looking to add another puck-moving defenseman, but it could be as simple as Treliving sending out Rielly and his salary for a pair of assets including another blueliner.

Pagnotta did not name any names in terms of who they might be targeting, but with the trade freeze set to end in short order, perhaps we’ll get some clarity on who the Leafs might have their eyes on.

Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily

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Leafs’ priority no longer a top-six forward: Insider reveals what Brad Treliving is really after

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