The Maple Leafs shouldn't be selling just for selling's sake at the trade deadline

"Leafs combine selling off pieces for draft picks with taking back salary and/or leveraging salary retention slots to boost returns and potentially acquire a few young pieces who could become notable contributors moving forward?"

"Of course, I can talk about it until I'm blue in the face and rationalize it as best as I can, but it takes two to make a trade, and other teams could simply say, "No, we don't want to trade an Isaac Howard or Pavel Mintyukov just because you are taking on a year of Andrew Mangiapane or Ryan Strome (or whoever else)." Of course, it takes two to tango."

"Elliotte Friedman reported that "Toronto is looking for a first-rounder for Bobby McMann." Meanwhile, Darren Dreger recently wondered about McMann potentially fetching a first-plus. We've already seen Mason Marchment move for a second and fourth, and Kiefer Sherwood went for two second-rounders. I think McMann should net more than each of those players, but not every team will think the same."

The Leafs could improve long-term by selling players for draft picks while taking back salary or using retention slots to increase trade value and acquire young prospects. Trades require mutual interest, and other teams may refuse to part with top prospects for short-term rentals of veteran forwards. Market prices for Leafs players could be lower than expected, complicating trade decisions and choices between trading and retaining players. Bobby McMann reportedly has a first-round asking price; recent comparable trades suggest variable returns and many likely suitors lack first-round picks, narrowing the market and options.

Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove