Welcome to our Meet the Buyers series, a five-part segment that’s going to dive into ‘buying’ teams ahead of the NHL trade deadline, and more specifically, teams that could come calling to Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.
With the Olympic roster freeze ongoing, GMs around the league continue to have constant dialogue, as they work on the parameters of deals, and search the market for the most appealing package. Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky is notoriously aggressive on the trade market, and this season’s going to be no different, so there’s a very good chance the ‘Canes and Leafs could be doing business together ahead of the Mar. 6 deadline.
The Hurricanes entered the break with a 36-15-6 record, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division. Carolina has a whopping $26 million in cap space to work with, so it will be free wheeling for Tulsky, as he’s never been shy to pull off a blockbuster deal.
The Hurricanes’ successful season has been led by goaltender Brandon Bussi, the 27-year-old undrafted career minor-leaguer, who has burst onto the scene in Carolina, posting a 23-3-1 record, with an astonishing 2.12 goals against average, and .908 save percentage. Not a bad 27-game start to Bussi’s NHL career.
While they have a balanced attack up front, and play a hard-nosed system under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, there are a couple of holes in their lineup that Tulsky would like to patch up before their playoff run. This is where the Maple Leafs could offer exactly what the doctored ordered in Carolina, as defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Bobby McMann would be two perfect fits for the ‘Canes.
Carolina has been lacking offensive production from the backend, and are in the market for a top-four defenceman. OEL is one of the best options available based on his versatility, steady play on both sides of the puck, and more importantly, he’s earning just $3.5 million through the 2028 season. He does own a 16-team no-trade clause, but joining a contender is likely an appealing next step.
McMann brings speed, finishing ability and physicality to the table, which would be music to the ears of Brind’Amour. Carolina’s had too many playoff rounds when they couldn’t find the big goal, and adding McMann and OEL would certainly be a boost to their offense. McMann is a coach’s dream, he works hard, is adaptable, can play multiple positions, and does all the little things well. Being a Hurricane feels like somewhere where McMann would flourish.
Maple Leafs could cash in with Carolina
If Tulsky is in fact looking to make a splash, which sounds like that’s totally the case, Treliving could fetch his 2026 first-round pick, plus a couple more pieces in this deal. Put it this way, Treliving won’t be making a deal involving both OEL and McMann without at least one first-rounder coming north.
Besides the mid-20’s draft pick in a very deep draft this summer, the Hurricanes have some talent that could appeal to Treliving. Prospect wise, defencemen Joel Nystrom and Charles-Alexis Legault are both up-and-coming blueliners, who bring some potential to the table. Nystrom is on the smallish side at 5-foot-11, but is a great skater, and could eventually mold into a Troy Stecher type, with much more offensive upside. He’s posted nine points in 37 games this season, and could eventually be an option for both sides of special teams. Meanwhile, Legault is a monster at 6-foot-4, and the 22-year-old posted 14 points in 63 games during his professional debut with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers last season. In eight games with the Hurricanes this season, he’s registered two points, playing 13:16 of ice-time per night, and certainly has a ton of upside as a shut-down defender.
Charlie Cerrato could be someone the Maple Leafs target as well. Cerrato was the Hurricanes second-round pick in 2025, and is currently playing in the NCAA with Penn State, where he’s posted 24 points in 19 games. Daily Faceoff’s prospect guru Steven Ellis previewed Cerrato’s season in November, and had this to say about the 20-year-old’s game:
All eyes are on Gavin McKenna at Penn State, but they should also be on Cerrato. The 20-year-old was taken as a triple overager after putting up excellent numbers as a freshman last year. He’s on pace for more than 60 points while challenging for the NCAA’s scoring title. He was known more for his two-way game at a younger age, and he’s still doing special things in the defensive zone, but he’s more dangerous as a passer than most ever expected him to be. Just imagine if he started dominating as a shooter, as well. The Hurricanes love betting on upside, and Cerrato – a second-round pick last year – might be the real deal.
The Maple Leafs have minimal prospects in their system up front, and especially down the middle of the ice, so Cerrato would be filling a massive void for Treliving, and could audition in Toronto as soon as this season, once the college schedule wraps up. Nystrom and Legault could step into the Leafs lineup right away.
One Hurricane who is expected to be traded is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. If the Hurricanes were open to retaining 50% of his remaining contract, and knock his AAV down to $2.4 million through the 2030 season, then Treliving could potentially have interest. But, at $4.8 million, and just two goals, and nine points in 36 games, and with a ton of baggage, it would be a tough sell in Toronto.
At the end of the day, there could be something brewing between these two hockey clubs, based on the fact McMann and Ekman-Larsson are perfect trade targets for the Hurricanes. It’s going to come down to a bidding war, and while the Hurricanes have some decent options for Treliving to consider, frankly, he may be better suited to use Tulsky as leverage to up the ante and land a bigger package for a different team.
PRESENTED BY DAILY FACEOFF’S OLYMPIC COVERAGE
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