And they may not be done.
General manager John Chayka said he’s going to continue to explore different moves on Sportsnet’s Real Kyper and Bourne on Thursday.
“We think we’ve got some good stability through our lineup now. If we can add difference makers, I think we should always be trying to do that. And it does feel like there might be more liquidity in the market in these July, August months,” Chayka said.
One of those moves could be a trade of Morgan Rielly, who has a no-trade clause but reportedly submitted a list of four teams to whom he’d accept a move earlier this off-season.
Chayka said nothing is imminent.
“For us, where we’re at, where we’re trying to go, he’s been a leader. He’s the longest-tenured Leaf, nothing but respect for him. As we look to improve the group, we’ll always consider everything, but I would say at this juncture Morgan’s a big part of this,” Chayka said.
Toronto’s July 1 attempt at improvement came in the form of veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and a host of depth forwards including Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Teddy Blueger, Colton Sissons, Brandon Duhaime and Zack MacEwen.
In June, the Maple Leafs acquired defenceman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
However, another blue-liner was reportedly also in their sights in Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski until his statement late Wednesday that he’d be staying put in Columbus.
“Purely philosophically, I think a general manager’s job is to star-hunt, first and foremost. This game can be changed by a few top players making a big impact on a franchise, so the depth piece matters, how you fill out a roster, how you manage the cap, that’s all necessary but not maybe sufficient,” Chayka said
“I think about the role of the general manager and their ability to go out and big-game hunt and I think that’s kind of priority No. 1.”
Chayka added that the glut of new forwards had nothing to do with the health of Max Domi, who is dealing with complications stemming from back surgery earlier in the off-season.
Domi, 31, had 12 goals and 24 assists in 80 games with the Maple Leafs last season.
“He’s progressing, which is the best news for everyone,” Chayka said. “He’ll come to camp. We’ll get kind of a more firm view at that point. … I think Max is gonna be a big part of this, when that occurs is just a guess.”