Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
According to Pierre LeBrun, the NHL has changed its trade deadline date to reflect the early start next season, as Toronto needs to figure out their game plan early.
The NHL has decided that with its new CBA being implemented in 2026-27, they are getting a head start on a few things such as their new playoff salary cap, and putting in several restrictions regarding potential future contracts and trying to level the playing field.
One of the biggest changes is that the league is no longer going to start in October, as they are shooting for a late September start with the Cup handed out in mid-June, a way to satiate that lull in the season.
What the Trade Deadline Timing Means in an Olympic Year
Major dates were expected to also change alongside it, and while he hadn’t heard anything concrete when it comes to when those will be; we can now at least confirm one.
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, he revealed that the league is intending to move their trade deadline day from March 1 to March 6, as to give teams a few more days to work out a deal, but does indeed give less time between the deadline and offseason which might cause some last-minute paranoia.
This will also be a huge impact when it comes to the Olympics, as potential trade candidates who are involved such as Erik Karlsson risk being injured before a deal can be had; or even worse right after one.
How the Maple Leafs Could Adjust Their Strategy Ahead of March
For a team like the Maple Leafs, it’s a positive because they get a few extra days to figure out if they want to make a move (or can) and would be pushing that urgency level up a few notches.
If Brad Treliving’s group is sitting pretty after the Olympic break, and don’t run into many outstanding issues during the season, they should definitely hold onto what they have as to a) not ruin their chemistry and b) save their money for Connor McDavid.
But if it’s a tight race between Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Florida, you can bet your bottom dollar that regardless of the new playoff rules, these teams will find a way to add.
So it’s imperative that Toronto gets a head start on things, and doesn’t wait to long. Perhaps an early season deal like they did last year with Timothy Liljegren will occur again, but this time with some much bigger pieces.Time is of the essence for the Maple Leafs, and it’s going to be up to guys like Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann and even Max Domi to prove they can handle what’s about to come, because if not then with a new time crunch then their time with the team might end more abruptly than they anticipate.
So for Toronto, they have a brand new date circled on their calendar, and as March 6 is still so far away, it won’t be long before they are staring that day in the face.
Whether they are ready or not is a whole different story.
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