<div align='center' style='padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/322178.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> Over the weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks sent forward Sam Lafferty to the Canucks in exchange for a fifth-round 2024 draft pick. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1711090396497883645?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>Leafs trade Lafferty to Canucks for 2024 fifth-round pick.</q> <h2>Leafs Looking For Defensive Depth</h2> Lafferty has the chance to shine in Vancouver, but there was an alternative trade scenario that could've taken place. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared in his 32 Thoughts column that the Leafs had initially approached the Edmonton Oilers with a trade proposition for Lafferty. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nhl_tradetalk/status/1711426569833767197?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>Friedman says the Oilers were one of the teams working on a Sam Lafferty trade, but injuries and waiver issues halted that plan.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/oilersaccess/status/1711418218584457401?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>I do think the Oilers had been one of the teams that talked with the Leafs about Sam Lafferty. I think the Oilers had some interest in Lafferty going back to last season, but they obviously couldn't work out a deal.</q> The Oilers have shown interest in him before, especially after his time with Chicago. In their discussion, the Maple Leafs expressed an interest in Vincent Desharnais from the Oilers. Desharnais is a defenseman who is popular with the Oilers' coaching team. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2016 draft, picked 183rd overall during his third draft-eligible season. He joined the Oilers' main roster last season after a call-up and has since been a consistent player for them. <h2>Doubling-Down on Desharnais</h2> The Oilers seem confident in Desharnais' place on the roster and not keen on parting with him. As a result, the Maple Leafs redirected their attention to the Canucks. Finalizing the trade with the Canucks allowed the Leafs to free up $1.15 million in their salary cap, thanks to Lafferty's departure. <div class='youtube_container'><iframe class='youtube_video' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cChNShZNuZU?si=0qPYR06K8wjIguz5' width='100%' loading='lazy' frameborder='0' title='' allow='autoplay; fullscreen' allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <a href='https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/failed-trade-between-oilers-and-maple-leafs-reported?fbclid=IwAR2wfXegQg3BWt4-E8z0O6LnrhqBoP70UBn4EH7JeHD7v3d1m4pSGHZouTE&mibextid=9R9pXO' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>As Read On Hockey Feed - Failed trade between Oilers and Maple Leafs reported</a>