The Maple Leafs have held loose, exploratory talks about Simon Edvinsson and Alexander Nikishin, according to The Fourth Period.
The report says Toronto has been in talks with multiple teams about a defenseman, including Detroit and Carolina.
Elliotte Friedman said on Saturday Headlines that the Leafs would only move prime assets for a difference maker on the back end.
He added that Toronto would also consider getting younger by moving an older defenseman to do it.
This is the right target list. If the Leafs are moving prime assets, it should be for a defenseman who will still matter five years from now.
It's like trading in an old car for a newer model. You pay more up front, but you stop living at the mechanic's.
Edvinsson remains unsigned, and David Pagnotta reported he wants around $11 million per season over seven years.
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Maple Leafs eye Simon Edvinsson as reported $11 million demand looms
Chris Tanev remains sidelined with an upper-body injury, thinning the group even further.
Morgan Rielly sits at -5 on a $7,500,000 cap hit.
Darren Raddysh has 4 assists on an $8,500,000 deal.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is 35 and Jake McCabe is 33, and neither has recorded a point.
Troy Stecher, 32, is also still looking for his first point.
Nikishin's situation is murkier. Friedman has said there's no trade possibility on the immediate radar and that Carolina would take him back.
Shawn Horcoff, meanwhile, has said he has no intention of trading Edvinsson, though Pierre LeBrun thinks a deal remains possible.
Pagnotta also reported earlier this week that the Leafs made exploratory calls on Calgary's Zach Whitecloud.
Up front, Auston Matthews leads the team with 13 points, while John Tavares is now listed out until at least Oct 31.
Which prime asset is Toronto actually willing to put on the table?
The Leafs host San Jose on Monday and visit Columbus on Tuesday for a back-to-back.
Toronto knows what it wants on the back end. The price for getting younger is about to get very real.
Should the Maple Leafs trade a prime asset for Simon Edvinsson?
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