All’s quiet on the Maple Leafs trade front as we inch closer and closer to Friday’s 3 PM ET deadline.

It’s a nervous fan base right now, that’s for sure. For the first time in a decade, the Leafs are sellers, and unfortunately, it’s taking place in a buyer’s market.

That’s where the conversation started on the Wednesday edition of Leafs Morning Take as David Pagnotta filled in for Jay Rosehill. The NHL Insider indicated that the Leafs continue to exercise patience. Translation: They haven’t received any offers yet that would entice them to pull the trigger on a move. Meantime, Nicolas Roy’s name has been getting more traction on the trade market in recent days. Teams like Edmonton, Vegas, and Buffalo, among others, have poked around on that front. We’ll see where it goes.

Oh yeah, the Leafs play New Jersey tonight. They’re going with the same lineup as Monday night against Philadelphia, so once again, no Stecher and Robertson. At least Easton Cowan’s playing again, right? New Jersey native Anthony Stolarz will get the call. At this point, it doesn’t like the Leafs will be sitting anyone for asset protection purposes. It can change with one phone call but they’re not close on anything currently. Toronto’s dropped four in a row coming out of the Olympic break (0-3-1). The Devils hammered Florida 5-1 on Tuesday, so conceivably, the Leafs should be the rested squad. Let’s hope this game’s entertaining. That’s what we’re cheering for these days.

After that quick game preview, 3x Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ward stopped by the show. He was very candid and direct with his thoughts on the current state of the team. Ward began by analytically breaking down what the absence of Mitch Marner has meant for this team — from offensive flow to puck movement to overall identity. Then, he steps into the GM chair and explains exactly what he would do if he were Brad Treliving during deadline week and beyond. The headline? Ward says he would take calls on Auston Matthews. He detailed why listening — at the right price — could be a strategic way to replenish assets and reshape the organization’s future. Plus, Ward shared what NHL trade deadline week is really like from a player’s perspective and the biggest lessons he learned winning three Stanley Cups.

Then, we got hit with some breaking news as the Leafs announced that Chris Tanev is done for the season. Via social media, Leafs PR disclosed that Tanev had surgery core muscle surgery in New York City on Wednesday and is expected to be good to go for training camp in September.

Brian Burke, who was initially supposed to join us back on Monday, will be by for the Thursday edition of Leafs Morning Take. On top of that, we’ll recap Leafs/Devils, plus look ahead to Thursday night’s contest at MSG. Tick, tock.

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