Maple Leafs scouts keep showing up for the same team, and it’s starting to look like a trade is brew



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Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving observes practice with Craig Berube in the background.

Photo credit: Steven Ellis – Daily Faceoff

The Toronto Maple Leafs scouts are back in Chicago yet again as it feels like a trade is being worked on as the continued appearances show more than slight interest.

While the team is likely to be buyers if they feel confident enough they can succeed, it’s going to take a bit of creativity and some serious luck if they want to bring in a player who can not only turn things around but do it on the cheap.

Toronto scouting another Blackhawks game as trade rumors ramp up

And it seems like a deal might be on the horizon too according to a report from The Fourth Period’s Tab Bamford.

Bamford revealed that several scouts were visiting the Chicago Blackhawks game versus Florida and in that list of personnel, there were two Maple Leafs scouts who made an appearance:

This would make it the second time that the Maple Leafs had scouted the Blackhawks, as they first did so in November when the Devils and Blackhawks faced off.

Who would make sense for the Maple Leafs

There is no direct indication of who the Maple Leafs could be targeting though several names have been thrown around in trade rumors including Connor Murphy and Tyler Bertuzzi, so there’s potential it’s one of them.

Both would add some much needed help for the Maple Leafs, as Murphy would help shore up the team’s defense and be a solid Chris Tanev replacement while Bertuzzi could solidify the top-six and has familiarity with Auston Matthews and company.

However there comes the issue, which is Toronto’s lack of assets. While Murphy and Bertuzzi aren’t top-tier targets, it’s still going to take at least some prospects, maybe even a couple picks. Is that worth it when the team is middle of the pack?

Is there even a reason Toronto should go after them? It’s going to be a tough schedule ahead and the Maple Leafs need to set themselves up strong if they want to bring in those reinforcements for that final push.

Whatever happens next is going to determine how Toronto tackles their trade situation but it seems they at least have a game plan in mind — they are just waiting to strike.

Previously on Hockey Patrol

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Maple Leafs scouts keep showing up for the same team, and it’s starting to look like a trade is brewing

Should the Toronto Maple Leafs make a trade for a Blackhawks player or no?