The Maple Leafs are under pressure from both a busy game schedule and Friday’s NHL trade deadline.
The story of who survives it all — whether healthy, hot, freezing, still wearing blue, or booked a flight out of Pearson — will unfold over the next 72 hours.
Max Domi has been dealt a couple of times in March, and while he feels much safer this year after signing here as a free agent, he admits it’s the most volatile time of the season.
“I’m sure some males find it difficult, especially those with families. But it is exciting. Domi noted, “I was given the opportunity to move from a team that was out of the playoffs to a team that is in.”
“(A trade) makes you feel needed, but the ultimate goal is to win, and you want to be on the team that is closest to achieving that.
“(Trade speculation) is part of the job, part of the business.”
Brad Treliving, general manager, must have aching toes after kicking so many tires. Known among colleagues as someone who is involved in most trade conversations, even if only for research purposes, he is unlikely to stop with the one move he made in the run-up to the deadline — acquiring defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin for a third- and sixth-round selection in a three-team deal to alleviate cap issues.
While his predecessor, Kyle Dubas, invested considerably more personally in the roster during his nine years here, Treliving would be less hesitant to try something radical, a ‘all-in’ approach in what most observers believe is a dwindling Stanley Cup window for this current bunch.
While Treliving stated that he would not be swayed by sudden victory streaks or slumps in the coming days, the joy of defeating the Rangers contrasted with the disappointment of losing Monday’s measuring stick game versus Boston.
Another right-handed defenseman, or even a veteran on either side, is on the wish list as Mark Giordano recovers from his concussion. Zach Bogosian, a 33-year-old well-traveled former Leaf who now lives in Minnesota, has had his name mentioned.
The defensive troubles of the Domi-Tyler Bertuzzi-William Nylander trio have been highlighted. Winger Nick Robertson might be included in a larger transaction if Treliving trades his first-round draft pick or one of his top prospects, Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. The Leafs appreciate the flexibility of sending Robertson back and forth to the farm for cap reasons.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe spent part of Tuesday’s brief workout, which preceded back-to-back games against Buffalo on Wednesday and Thursday in Boston, trying to re-establish defenseman Timothy Liljegren’s confidence and chatting with Pontus Holberg, who could be the fourth-line center Wednesday after David Kampf missed the workout due to the flu.
Liljegren appeared on the ice for three of Boston’s four goals, including one on the power play.
“He has to dust himself off and get ready for the next game,” he remarked. “We have four in six nights (ending on Saturday in Montreal). There is no time for anything but prepping for the next one.
“We gave him an excellent opportunity, and he was gaining momentum. You slip up occasionally, but you must maintain your confidence in the excellent things you’ve accomplished.”
Right-handed defenseman Conor Timmins’ first practice since a battle of mononucleosis was a new wrinkle, but given how short the session was and how Keefe prefers a thorough workout before putting absentees back in the lineup, don’t expect him Wednesday night.
Timmins was at least approved for contact, as an enlarged spleen is one of the symptoms of mono. He has already had to overcome a knee ailment that ruined a successful training camp.
Keefe also pulled Holmberg aside for a motivational talk.
“More just a reminder that if you want to play in the league every day on a good team, you have to bring it all the time,” Keefe was quoted as saying. “In the previous few games, we’ve enjoyed his line (with Kampf and Ryan Reaves) and his playing, but he’s fallen a little.
“The first (Boston) goal (Monday) night, he had an opportunity to kill a play for us before they could get anywhere near our net, which is something I expect all of our players to do in that position. But for a young, motivated player wanting to cement his place in the league, that’s a position he must excel in.”
The Buffalo game could be fascinating, coming off a Monday setback that helped Boston secure home ice in a potential playoff series against the Leafs.
The Sabres are 10 points out of a playoff berth, but they, along with Montreal, Ottawa, and the wild-card Red Wings, have a 6-3 record versus Toronto this season.
