The Maple Leafs find themselves in an odd place. They’re in the playoffs, having skipped right over the uncomfortable stage of too good to get a good pick, not good enough for post-season play. But they aren’t ready to dump out all their futures for a guy right now.
While everyone talked about Erik Karlsson, who is now in the uncomfortable place of having to play out the season still in Ottawa, the only real move of note on defence turned out to be Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
#TradeCentre Details:
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 26, 2018
To #TBLightning: D Ryan McDonagh, F JT Miller
To #NYR: F Vladislav Namestnikov, F Brett Howden, D Libor Hajek, 2018 1st-round pick, conditional 2nd-round pick
Check out the details of every deal on our Trade Tracker: https://t.co/lTl9gr0T6Z #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/elP5AXr2DX
To see where the Leafs ended up in terms of picks and roster spots:
Related
Toronto Maple Leafs by the numbers: 2018 Trade Deadline
Lou Lamoriello spoke to the media at 4 PM today and confirmed the team had made no deals.
The Leafs I'm told did make an offer on McDonagh, but they weren't alone and certainly not clear if they were at all close https://t.co/Khk9PNFxtH
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 26, 2018
Lou said there was not a "subtraction" he was willig to make to get another defenceman at the deadline. Pointed to Dermott's development as another reason he wouldn't go overboard for blueline help.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) February 26, 2018
Asked Lamoriello about a report Mike Green invoked a no-trade clause to block a move to Leafs. The GM replied "that's an unfair question for Mike Green, but we were not interested".
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) February 26, 2018
In related news:
Lamoriello said Travis Dermott and Kasperi Kapanen were assigned to Marlies and recalled so that they would be eligible for AHL playoffs.#TMLTalk now has two remaining recalls available. #NHL
— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) February 26, 2018