The Toronto Maple Leafs are in their Stanley Cup window.
Maple Leafs President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Keith Pelley, believes the team is ready to take advantage of it. Although Toronto lost Mitch Marner this offseason, Pelley has full confidence in his team.
Pelley, meanwhile, also sent a clear message to the team saying, ‘it’s go time’ to go on a deep playoff run.
“I think the combination of the cap going up at the exact time,” Pelley said to The Athletic. “There’s no question we didn’t have as much cap room last year at the playoff (trade) deadline, that perhaps we needed to make a move that might have even taken us further. But we’re really conscious of cap room. We definitely have flexibility. And it’s go time now for us.
“You know the age of this team. It’s go time. And I think we have two leaders, in Brad and Chief, to hopefully take us to the promised land.”
Pelley believes Toronto will be able to add an impact player at the deadline to help the Maple Leafs have success in the postseason.
The Maple Leafs have the ninth-best odds of winning the Stanley Cup at +2000.
Maple Leafs Have a Lot of ‘Optimism’
Toronto entered the season with plenty of questions.
The Maple Leafs saw one of their top players leave, and Toronto didn’t truly replace him. Instead, the team focused on adding more depth to the roster and being harder to play against.
Toronto is off to a 2-2 start, and Pelley said there is a lot of optimism around the team.
“It’s been very enjoyable working with Brad and Chief,” Pelley said. “The way they work together is really, really good. The vibe around the team is positive. The new players that they brought in seem to have created good chemistry.
“There’s a lot of optimism. After last night’s win, in the coach’s room, talking to Chief, we’re pretty optimistic. But it’s pretty early. The last four months have been incredibly enjoyable. Brad is meticulous in his decision-making process and his analysis, and Chief is one of the most straightforward, strong-willed, passionate hockey guys you can meet.”
The Maple Leafs will host the New York Rangers on Thursday.
Toronto Already in Trade Talks
With Pelley sending a clear message to the team and general manager Brad Treliving, the Maple Leafs are exploring the trade market.
With Easton Cowan looking like the real deal and Scott Laughton coming back soon, Nick Robertson’s name has once again come up in trade rumors.
NHL insider Darren Dreger revealed the Maple Leafs are exploring the trade market on Robertson.
“The 24-year-old finds himself one more time in a very familiar spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he’s hoping for a larger role, opportunity in the National Hockey League,” Dreger said on Insider Trading on Tuesday. “He’s pushing 160 NHL games. I know that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has recently talked with clubs that may have some interest in Nick Robertson. Given the depth that the Maple Leafs have, it’s a tough spot for Robertson. So maybe it’s time to give him a fresh start somewhere else.”
Robertson signed a one-year, $1.825 million extension with the Maple Leafs this offseason. He’s recorded 1 assist in 4 games.
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