The Leafs reportedly had interest in acquiring Ferraro and Kunin back in February.
The Leafs reportedly had interest in acquiring Ferraro and Kunin back in February.
Plenty of teams are looking to add significant pieces to their backend this summer, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Whether it be through the pathway of free agency or via trade, general manager Brad Treliving has made it clear he is committed to improving the team’s blueline ahead of the 2024-25 season.
With plenty of sellers comes many suitors, and one team that has been entertaining trade calls on major pieces is the San Jose Sharks.
As reported Tuesday by The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the Leafs are believed to have a renewed interest in Mario Ferraro, the Sharks’ top-pairing defenseman – whom the team was keen on back in February, just weeks before the 2024 trade deadline.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks are among the teams believed to have varying levels of interest in Ferraro, some going back to the middle of the season,” Pagnotta wrote.
The Leafs were reportedly one of the teams who had expressed a motive to inquire about the Toronto native midway through the season – and it certainly makes sense from their perspective. The 25-year-old has been a reliable defensive presence while taking the title as the club’s number one defenseman on a contract that carries a $3.25 million cap hit through the 2025-2026 season. At a reasonable cap hit, it adds to his appeal for a Leafs roster looking to bolster its blueline.
In addition to his cap hit, Ferraro averaged nearly 23 minutes a game in the 2023-24 season while embracing the first penalty kill unit duties. Considering his offensive game isn’t the area of the ice he makes his bread and butter on, Ferraro is coming off his most productive season of his five in the NHL – scoring three goals and adding 18 assists for 21 points in 78 games this year.
Across his five years in a Sharks uniform, never appearing in the postseason, he has 74 points in 330 games and could very well thrive in a better situation if granted the opportunity.
Though the desire to add Ferraro may be there, the asking price may not be for Treliving and Co., given the steep ask of what Pagnotta believes “starts with a first-round pick, a top prospect, and another high asset.” As a rebuilding team, San Jose is understandably looking to leverage Ferraro’s value to acquire valuable assets that will accelerate their rebuilding process. Although the asking price remains high as of now, it doesn’t guarantee that the Sharks won't come down from their original requests.
Leafs may ‘Circle Back’ on Luke Kunin
Adding to the rumors on Ferraro, the Leafs were reportedly in on Sharks’ second-line center Luke Kunin in February as well. Though no deal was materialized at the time, the door may still be open on bringing a deal to fruition for the former first-round pick – but it must come quickly with word of an extension already in the works.
“The Leafs had their eyes on Ferraro and Sharks forward Luke Kunin during the season and it’s entirely possible Toronto GM Brad Treliving circles back on both this off-season – but he may have to work fast,” Pagnotta emphasized.
“[Mike] Grier has spoken with his agent, Pete Rutili, multiple times and sources tell me the two met last week in Buffalo during the combine. The Sharks and Kunin’s camp are working on an extension, but talks are still in the beginning stages. If the two sides work out a long-term deal, Grier will likely shy away from trade inquiries.”
With talks beginning to circulate over an extension for the American forward in San Jose, trade inquiries may soon quickly be off the table. The 26-year-old, who is a restricted free agent come July 1, scored 11 goals and 18 points in 77 games played this season while averaging over 15 minutes of ice time a night.
At a stature of six feet tall, Kunin is not afraid to throw his body around and be physical, making him a legitimate depth piece option for the Leafs at a great price. According to AFP Analytics, a site used as a projection tool for free agents, is predicting a two-year $3.44 million contract with a cap hit of $1.72 million a season for his services.
The Sharks’ management looks to be weighing all options, just as they were at the trade deadline – considering the benefits each move could entail. Only time will tell the direction each side opts to take, but both pieces present enticing options for the Leafs.
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