This afternoon, Toronto Maple Leafs reporter Steve Simmons released a new report that connected the Maple Leafs to two veteran forward upgrades. Late last night the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/nhl-insider-has-the-maple-leafs-as-one-of-the-front-runners-to-acquire-jonathan-toews' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to the potential of signing Stanley Cup winning center Jonathan Toews as he intends to make a comeback.</a> With Toews not expected to sign until much later in the season the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to look to add a veteran forward to bolster the middle of their lineup. Coming into the 2024-25 NHL season the Maple Leafs were hoping to replace John Tavares as their second-line center internally with potentially either William Nylander or Max Domi. Throughout this season the Maple Leafs have tried to get Nylander and Domi to fit into that role at different points but it just has not gone well. As a result of this, the Maple Leafs have a desperate need for an experienced second-line center who can be plugged into the role and trusted. Now according to Maple Leafs reporter Steve Simmons, the team will likely address this need through a trade, and two veterans including a Stanley Cup Champion have been named. <h3>Toronto Maple Leafs linked to two star centers to fix their lineup depth</h3> In a new report for the Toronto Star NHL reporter Steve Simmons revealed that Brock Nelson and Yanni Gourde are two forwards the Toronto Maple Leafs should take a major run at heading into the NHL Trade Deadline. When talking about Nelson, Simmons believes he could be the perfect option to play in the middle six and share second-line responsibilities with John Tavares depending on the matchup each night. Perhaps the perfect third-line centre from a lineup that should start with a healthy [Auston] Matthews and [John] Tavares down the middle. A 6-foot-4 presence up the middle, a one-team veteran of 12 NHL seasons - and that means something - and a scorer of 27 post-season goals in 78 games. Simmons does admit that a trade for Nelson would likely cost the Toronto Maple Leafs several top assets whether they be top prospects or high-end draft picks. If the Maple Leafs are looking for a less expensive asset to acquire to fill this role Simmons suggests a player like Yanni Gourde is the answer. Gourde is a Stanley Cup Champion and plays the gritty 200-foot game that head coach Craig Berube wants out of his depth players. Gourde was a huge part of two Tampa Bay Stanley Cup wins but looks something like a diminishing asset now. Coach Craig Berube would love to a have a Gourde-type as his third-line center. With the NHL Trade Deadline just a couple of months away reports regarding new targets for the Maple Leafs will continue to emerge. As the deadline comes closer it will be fun to see if these reports turn into action and moves from Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs.