The Maple Leafs are looking for ways to improve their blue line for the stretch run, and a local hometown name has popped up as a primary trade target for the team. Sitting pretty as the March 7 trade deadline nears, the interesting situation the Toronto Maple Leafs are in will mean that General Manager Brad Treliving must walk the tightrope of <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/maple-leafs-connected-to-two-veteran-centers-to-fix-the-middle-six-as-the-nhl-trade-deadline-approaches' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>trying to improve without messing up what has clicked for them thus far in the season</a>. Everyone has speculation as to what Toronto might do, and though a third or fourth-line center would make their depth much more concrete, there is one other aspect that could prove the make-or-break for them in the playoffs: the blue line. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TheHockeyWriter/status/1878144870474260488'> </a></blockquote></div> Inconsistent, the Leafs' defense has shown flashes of brilliance throughout, but the general trend in this area has been inconsistent. A continued stout, stable defensive corps is a foundation for playoff success, and that might prove to be the most urgent weakness for Treliving. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/toronto-maple-leafs-connected-to-several-defensemen-on-the-trade-market-to-potentially-pair-with-morgan-rielly' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>A key addition on the back end</a> could do more than just strengthen Toronto's chances on paper; it could also inject some fresh energy into the lineup. Word around the league is that San Jose could be a prime trade partner. With the Sharks embracing a rebuild, several of their veterans are drawing interest, but one player stands out. <h3>Leafs eyeing hometown boy Mario Ferraro</h3> He's tough, dependable, and well-versed in handling heavy minutes. Better yet, <a href='https://bladesofteal.com/san-jose-sharks-defenseman-mario-ferraro-among-15-trade-bait-named-per-seravalli' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>he's a hometown kid who knows what it means to compete</a> under Toronto's spotlight. Enter Mario Ferraro. The 26-year-old defender, chosen in the 2017 Draft, has never been able to participate in the playoffs. Of course, being dealt to a contender like the Leafs may actually give him the opportunity he hasn't yet experienced. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/sharks/player/mario-ferraro-8479983' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Ferraro</a> has three goals and four assists this season and continues to impress as a defensively capable player with his blocked shots, hits thrown, and maintained positioning. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1863066166744236315'> </a></blockquote></div> He comes at 6'0, 209 pounds, a physical blueliner, which is exactly what Toronto wants. <a href='https://puckpedia.com/player/mario-ferraro#:~:text=Mario%20Ferraro%20is%20signed%20to,will%20be%2027%20years%20old.' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>With a $3.25M cap hit and free agency still more than a year away</a>, the price isn't prohibitively expensive for Ferraro. A package involving a couple of draft picks and a mid-tier prospect could get it done. Treliving has options. The only question is when he'll make his move, and whether Ferraro could be the domino that sets everything in motion.