Dave Nonis achieved some goals on Sunday.
In trading Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli - both of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents at season's end - to the Nashville Predators, the Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager was able to add what he views as key assets for the future.
"We were looking at a bunch of different options," Nonis said. "It was our goal to get as high a pick as possible and a good prospect."
Toronto acquired Nashville's first-round pick in 2015 and prospect Brendan Leipsic, who's viewed as part of the long-term plan.
"We'll try to bring him along slowly but we like his upside offensively and he really competes." - Nonis on Leipsic #TMLtalk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 15, 2015
Nonis added the plan is to insert veteran Olli Jokinen into the lineup, although he estimates teams may come calling in advance of the March 2 trade deadline.
In terms of the departing players, Nonis said they quite simply priced themselves out of potential extensions with the club.
"They both performed very well and I would have them back... We weren't close on signing them." - Nonis on Franson and Santorelli #TMLtalk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 15, 2015
With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, this might just be the beginning of the selling process in Toronto.
