The Calgary Flames are going down in proverbial flames, with many top-end players wanting out of the organization. This is a reasonable time for a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a move and improve their team. The Maple Leafs need some players to help them get through the hard push of the playoffs, and Calgary could offer everything they need. With new Flames general manager (GM) Craig Conroy’s back against the wall, old Flames GM and current Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving could make one of the most significant trades in hockey and get everything Toronto needs in one move.

Flames Have Assets the Maple Leafs Could Use

With several players stating they will not re-sign with the Flames, Calgary is in a challenging position. They want to be a playoff team but don’t want to lose any of their players for nothing when they become free agents. Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Tyler Toffoli, and Mikael Backlund have stated that they will not sign extensions with the club. That would be two of the Flames’ top centers and their top pairing defenceman not returning, along with a top-six winger. If Calgary needs to move these players, then it would almost make sense to do a rebuild. If the Maple Leafs want to take advantage, they must devise a plan to make a trade that could work for both teams.

The Maple Leafs require a top-pairing defenceman, a top-six winger, a third-line center that can move into the top-six, and possibly a goaltender if they feel Ilya Samsonov is not a valid number-one goalie. If they could swing a deal, Toronto could get all three of these pieces in one move from the Flames. There have been suggestions that the Maple Leafs could move William Nylander to Calgary for some of the players that could be available. This type of trade could help fill one of the voids in Toronto’s lineup, but if they could move a more significant piece of their lineup, they might be able to fill all the holes.

Matthews Wants to Stay a Maple Leaf, But They May Not Be Able to Afford Him

If the Maple Leafs can’t get an extension signed with Auston Matthews soon, they have to start looking at the bigger picture, which is not having control of him after July 1. After July 1, Matthews’ no-movement clause kicks in, and for the last year of his contract, the Maple Leafs will be unable to move him without his permission. If Matthews decides he will not re-sign or Toronto feels they can’t work out a deal, he could walk at the end of next season. So far, it looks like the Leafs are doing everything in their power to keep Matthews, whether it be a short-term contract or a long one, and he also has said he wants to stay.