{"id":514678,"date":"2026-03-21T08:50:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T08:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/514678\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T08:50:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T08:50:31","slug":"the-trade-deadline-move-toronto-couldnt-finish-is-revealed-by-elliotte-friedman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/514678\/","title":{"rendered":"The trade deadline move Toronto couldn’t finish is revealed by Elliotte Friedman"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Elliotte <\/p>\n

Patrik Laine almost ended up with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Philadelphia Flyers at the trade deadline, and that rumor still says a lot about how teams value pure finishing.<\/p>\n

Elliotte Friedman reported that both clubs discussed Laine before the March 6 deadline came and went without a move. That alone made this more than routine trade chatter.<\/p>\n

Laine is not the kind of player a team targets for a depth patch. His $8.7 million cap hit and pending unrestricted free agent status made any conversation a serious swing.<\/p>\n

The appeal is obvious. Few players can change a game with one release the way Laine can when he is healthy and in rhythm.<\/p>\n

For Toronto, the fit almost writes itself. Drop him into the top six and the power play suddenly gets another one-touch shooting option that forces penalty killers to respect more ice.<\/p>\n

For Philadelphia, the idea carried a different edge. The Flyers have needed more finishing talent, and Laine’s shot could have added a layer of danger they do not naturally generate.<\/p>\n

Patrik Laine stayed put, but the rumor still matters<\/p>\n

The hesitation was easy to understand too. Laine had played only five games this season and recorded one assist after missing significant time following core muscle surgery.<\/p>\n

That is the debate front offices would have wrestled with. Is the shot worth the salary, the health risk, and the changes needed around the lineup?<\/p>\n

Toronto would have been chasing upside for a playoff push. Philadelphia would have been making a louder statement about accelerating its plan.<\/p>\n

Montreal’s side of the story matters too. The Canadiens clearly listened, but they did not force a move that failed to match the value of a player with rare scoring talent.<\/p>\n

Laine is not a plug-and-play answer for every line. He needs the right role, the right support, and usage that leans into what he does best.<\/p>\n

That is why this deadline rumor still sticks. A scorer like Laine does not need many looks to swing a season, and for a moment, Toronto and Philadelphia both looked willing to test that bet.<\/p>\n

Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

14 HOURS AGO|125 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

The trade deadline move Toronto couldn’t finish is revealed by Elliotte Friedman<\/p>\n

Should one of these teams have taken the swing on Patrik Laine ?<\/p>\n

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