Insider Has Outlandish Take About Possible Maple Leafs & Flames Trade

It is no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs have to do something to get some life into the team and make the playoffs in the first year without Mitch Marner. Whether that comes with a big move or a few smaller roster-shifting moves, something has to and is going to get done eventually.

The Calgary Flames are last in the NHL and should absolutely sell what they can. They aren't winning with the core they have. The proof is in the last few years of failed attempts to make the playoffs. These are two teams that could link up to make a trade, but Darren Dreger suggested that something outlandish could happen between the teams.

When speaking on a potential trade of Rasmus Andersson, Dreger said, "If you're Craig Conroy...you're asking for Matthew Knies, or you're asking for something like that. If you're Toronto...a contract extension would have to be part of it." The Maple Leafs aren't trading Matthew Knies; that is almost a certainty, and especially not for what the insider stated. He is a core piece of Toronto already and is playing great.

He's right by saying a contract extension would have to come with Andersson as he is a UFA after the season, but that doesn't warrant the value Knies would bring in return. Knies is a much better player and no team is giving that up for Andersson, who isn't a number one defenseman, but rather just a top-4 d-man.

Pierre LeBrun said, "There's one notable pending UFA, Andersson. More than likely going to get dealt. But after that, it's not really that obvious."

The Flames have to get Zayne Perekh in every game once he's healthy again. It's a waste if a talent like that is sitting in the press box while the team is struggling mightily. With Mackenzie Weegar, Perekh, and Brayden Pachal on the right side and Andersson very likely to leave in free agency if he's not traded, it makes no sense not to trade him. But it would be an insult in trade conversations if Knies were the starting point.