In an effort to bolster their lineup, the Toronto Maple Leafs are actively searching for a top-nine centre and a bottom-six winger as the March 8 trade deadline approaches. The team, led by Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving in the front office, is looking to address specific needs and strengthen their chances for success.

Priority number one for the Maple Leafs is finding a top-nine centre. The experiment of Max Domi as the team's second-line centre has not yielded the desired results. In the recent game against the struggling Arizona Coyotes, Domi, along with William Nylander and Tyler Bertuzzi, managed to win only 19 percent of the expected goals. Since the lineup change that saw Domi replace John Tavares, the Leafs have been out-chanced in the six games, despite a high offensive zone faceoff percentage. It is clear that another centre would bring much-needed stability to the team.

However, the Leafs face two obstacles in their search for a centre: a lack of available options and a lack of tradeable assets. There are limited centres on the market, with names like Adam Henrique and Alex Wennberg standing out. Henrique, in particular, could fulfill multiple needs for the Leafs, but his acquisition may come at a hefty price. The question arises whether the Leafs are willing to part with their first-round pick in exchange for Henrique, and potentially secure one of the Ducks' second-round picks in return.

Adding another centre would provide lineup flexibility for head coach Sheldon Keefe. He could potentially move Tavares or Domi to the wing, creating a third-line with strong two-way potential and relieving some of the load on Auston Matthews' top line. The Leafs' attempt to bring Ryan O'Reilly back earlier in the season highlights the team's understanding of the fragility of their centre-ice depth, excluding Matthews.

Priority number two for the Leafs is finding a bottom-six winger. The decision to rely on Noah Gregor has not paid off as expected, and he has fallen out of the full-time penalty-killing rotation. With Gregor's struggles, Pontus Holmberg has stepped in, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the fourth line and penalty kill. However, he lacks experience, having only played 70 NHL games. The Leafs are seeking an experienced forward who can be trusted in crucial situations, particularly in the playoffs.

The playoff lineup also raises questions about the spots for players like Nick Robertson and Ryan Reaves. The Leafs will need to evaluate if they can upgrade on these individuals to add more dependability to their bottom-six group. In tight playoff situations, having reliable players becomes crucial, and the Leafs are aiming to solidify their roster.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs are actively working to address their needs at the top-nine centre and bottom-six winger positions. The front office is striving to strike the right balance between strengthening the lineup and maintaining valuable tradeable assets. Only time will tell who will join the Leafs as they aim for a deep playoff run.