Maple Leafs Nearly Traded Cowan, Danford for Schenn at Trade Deadline

Recent reports reveal that the Toronto Maple Leafs nearly traded prospects Easton Cowan and Ben Danford to the St. Louis Blues for Brayden Schenn last March. This information comes from Nick Kypreos, who has covered the story for both Sportsnet and the Toronto Star.

Details of the Proposed Trade

Kypreos indicated that the Maple Leafs sought to strengthen their lineup by acquiring Schenn to compete against tougher opponents, particularly during playoff scenarios. However, St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong ultimately decided against completing the trade.

Cowan and Danford’s Roles

• Easton Cowan: A promising young player, Cowan is currently regarded as a valuable asset. Kypreos mentioned that Cowan had been pushed as a trade chip previously, though his status may hinder future trade discussions.
• Ben Danford: Another significant prospect in the trade talks, Danford recently participated in the World Juniors with Team Canada, earning a bronze medal. His performance established him as a top prospect for Toronto.

Cowan has shown potential in the NHL, with notable performances that have raised his profile. Meanwhile, Danford has been anticipated to step up as a key player for the Brantford Bulldogs in his final OHL year.

Trade Deadline Strategy

As last year’s trade deadline approached, the Maple Leafs focused on enhancing their center depth. They eventually acquired Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers, sending prospect Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick in return. Additionally, Toronto traded Fraser Minten along with a first-round pick to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Brandon Carlo.

Brayden Schenn’s Current Stats

Had Schenn joined the Maple Leafs, he would have reunited with coach Craig Berube, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2019. Currently, Schenn is in the sixth year of an eight-year contract worth $52 million, averaging $6.5 million annually. He has logged nine goals and 18 points in 44 games this season.

Maple Leafs’ Current Focus

Looking ahead, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is actively evaluating the defenseman market. Presently, the team is dealing with significant injuries to Chris Tanev and Dakota Joshua, complicating their defensive strategies.

Treliving is reported to face a thin market, primarily focusing on older defensemen or third-pairing players, which may limit Toronto’s potential acquisitions as they aim to bolster their squad this season.