3 Offseason Letters Still in Treliving's Chamber for Maple Leafs – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The NHL offseason rumor mill has slowed down recently, as managers and players all go their separate ways in the summer. There hasn't been much action, but that doesn't mean teams are done making changes. That includes the Toronto Maple Leafs who have done a lot to replace their blue line but are looking for some help going forward and may have a few moves in their back pocket.

Back in March, I wrote that GM Brad Treliving might have one bullet in his closet if the Leafs didn't do well in the playoffs. At that time, I wrote:

“Because the money is committed to the top players, Fox says Treliving has one bullet left in his locker to shoot in the summer. That would be firing coach Sheldon Keefe. When asked by Marek if that would be the right decision, Fox replied, “What else are you going to do?”

It turned out that Toronto was out of the postseason, Keefe was fired and Craig Berube was hired as the new coach. Now, four months later, it's worth asking whether Treliving has more ammunition in his locker ahead of the new season.

A Possible Timothy Liljegren or Nick Roberson Trade

Defenseman Timothy Liljegren is still for sale. He's not exactly a lock for the top four, and his $3 million salary might be too high for a third-team defenseman (even if you could make an argument that Oliver Ekman-Larsson's deal is). Trading him could help the team get a solid third-line center or another front nine.

NHL insider Chris Johnston commented in early July, “We'll see if Timothy Liljegren is still traded. I know he's signed to a two-year extension but I don't think you can rule out a trade in his situation yet. They will continue to be out of the list of players.”

Liljegren has been involved in trade rumors for several seasons. His new contract doesn't necessarily protect him from being part of future trade talks. Much of this depends on what happened to Jani Hakanpaa. Are you healthy? Isn't he? Are you officially joining the list at some point?

Related: NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Islanders, Flames, Laine & Jeff Marek News

Like Liljegren, Nick Robertson's name has been in the rumor mill for years. The main difference between the two is that reports emerged that Robertson wanted to be removed and was looking for a fresh start elsewhere. The Leafs say they want to keep the forward and Treliving sees a bright future for this player, but that relationship is getting stronger. Does a team that misses out on a top player in free agency give the Leafs a call? They might.

PTO candidates will be out there

One of the things teams will start looking at in late July and early August is potential professional tryouts. When free agents don't sign deals and are looking for a job, those players turn to teams with openings and opportunities to make the club in camp. Toronto will certainly look at PTOs given its salary cap situation.

It's unclear who will be there, but the Leafs have a history of finding useful players this way. Last season it was Noah Gregor. He ended up playing 63 games for the Maple Leafs. He didn't re-sign this summer, but that's not unusual. Names like James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Johnson, Justin Schultz, Kevin Shattenkirk and others are still there. The latter two would be surprising if the Leafs end up trading Liljegren and Hakanpaa leaves.

Signing a forward or two to PTO puts pressure on the younger guys to earn their spots in camp. That includes Easton Cowan, Nick Roberson, and Fraser Minten, all of whom the Leafs don't want to simply give away.

Leafs May Finally Move Mitch Marner

It seems like most signs point to Mitch Marner staying put, but the biggest bullet still in the closet could be a trade that sees Marner land a blockbuster deal. This may be the type of trade that only happens when all else fails or the player finally says enough is enough and finds a team he is comfortable with.

If the Maple Leafs are trying to free up important cap space, Marner's trade will be the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B. It's really risky and it won't be easy, but no matter how big or small it is. discussed in the next few weeks, there is always a chance that the trade will come out of nowhere.