Mario Ferraro has been associated with the Maple Leafs since the beginning of June and the 2023–24 campaign.
A little more than two weeks prior to the March 8 trade deadline, on February 20, 2024, David Pagnotta first revealed the Leafs’ interest in Ferraro.
According to Pagnotta, “the Toronto Maple Leafs are more inclined to swap a first-round pick for an asset with term.” Ferraro is a player that the team is interested in. “Both clubs might be interested in a transaction that includes a first-round pick.”
With free agency approaching, Pagnotta returned to those reports on July 11 and reiterated the Leafs’ interest in Ferraro.
Ferraro was the focus of the Leafs’ attention. Source: The Maple Leafs are not making a trade to get a top-pair comparable .
The Toronto Maple Leafs had given up on San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on June 21.
Pagnotta states, “The Maple Leafs are looking for big, physical defensemen as they want to go bigger on the blue line.” One player that is no longer in their sights is Mario Ferraro.
“The San Jose Sharks and the Leafs had talks during the season, but I’ve heard he doesn’t fit their current approach.”
Ferraro caught the Leafs’ attention during the 2023–24 season, and it’s possible Toronto general manager Brad Treliving will follow up on both this off-season, but he might need to move quickly, according to Pagnotta.
Ferraro, who is still only twenty-five, has two years remaining on his deal, which has a $3.25 million cap hit. On December 8, 2023, the blueliner did, however, tell Sheng Peng of the San Jose Hockey Now of his wish to remain in San Jose.
Ferraro said to Peng, “I feel like I have unfinished business here.” “You know how much this group has done for me? I believe I still owe the supporters and them.”
Ferraro averaged 22:52 minutes on ice per game while playing 78 games in 2023–24, tallying 3 goals and dishing out 18 assists.
Ferraro mentioned that the Sharks might still trade him even though he was willing to sign an extension.
GM Mike Grier of San Jose has already finished comparable deals in the most recent.The Leafs are focusing their offseason efforts on adding big, physical defensemen, according to the most recent reports. On June 19, Pagnotta even named two players in particular: Kolton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues and Nikita Zadorov of the Vancouver Canucks.
In the off-season, Pagnotta stated, “the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to add some size to their blueline.” According to rumors, general manager Brad Treliving is looking to add one or two big defensemen.Pagnotta went on, “The Leafs have already been connected to pending unrestricted free agent blueliner Nikita Zadorov.” “The Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in St. Louis Blues backguard Colton Payrayko in a trade. He would have to authorize any transaction and has a complete no-movement clause.
According to CapFriendly, Toronto will have little more than $18.8 million in cap space going into the offseason. For the next season, the Leafs only have ten forwards, five defensemen, and one goalie under contract.
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