The Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames entered the 2025-26 season expecting to remain part of the playoff picture, but both teams watched their seasons unravel well before the postseason arrived.
Toronto’s late collapse led to sweeping front-office and coaching changes, while Calgary delved further into a long-term rebuild after another disappointing finish outside the playoff spots.
As both franchises prepare for an important offseason, their paths may now intersect in the trade market.
Maple Leafs Continue Searching for Middle-Six Center Depth
With Toronto still searching for more dependable center depth behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares, one Flames forward has quietly emerged as a realistic target capable of addressing one of the Maple Leafs’ biggest weaknesses.
The player drawing attention is Morgan Frost, whose first full season in Calgary significantly increased his value around the league. After arriving from Philadelphia in 2025, Frost delivered career-best offensive production while also showing noticeable improvement in the faceoff circle, making him one of Calgary’s more attractive trade pieces entering the offseason.
NHL insider Anthony Di Marco recently linked Toronto to the Calgary center in a column for Daily Faceoff.
Di Marco wrote, “One team that could make sense for Frost is his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, who are in desperate need of help down the middle beyond Auston Matthews and John Tavares.” He also noted, “With Brad Treliving no longer in the GM chair, perhaps the Leafs and Flames will be open to making trades again.”
The connection becomes easier to understand when looking at how Toronto’s season unfolded. Once Matthews suffered a season-ending knee injury, the roster’s lack of center depth became increasingly difficult to ignore.
The situation eventually contributed to major organizational changes, including the dismissals of general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube after the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Frost, an Aurora, Ontario native, would give Toronto a younger middle-six center who can contribute offensively without creating major long-term salary concerns. The former first-round pick remains under contract through the 2026-27 season and carries a manageable $4.375 million cap hit, making him an appealing option for a team trying to take baby steps to reshape its roster.
Calgary’s current direction only adds more weight to the speculation. The Flames have openly committed to accumulating younger assets and future draft capital after extending their playoff drought to four consecutive seasons. General manager Craig Conroy has reportedly shown a willingness to listen to offers on almost every player if the return fits the rebuilding timeline.
Frost’s value may also be peaking at the right moment for Calgary. He is currently playing under an $8,750,000 contract spread across two seasons, which gives interested teams a productive and affordable short-term option at a premium position.
Beyond his offensive growth, Frost’s contract structure further strengthens Calgary’s flexibility. His 8-team no-trade clause does not begin until next season, allowing the Flames greater control over any potential offseason discussions before restrictions take effect.
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Toronto’s offseason focus will include hiring a new head coach and continuing its front-office restructuring under John Chayka and Mats Sundin, but improving center depth remains equally important after the roster’s inconsistency became a major issue throughout the year.
For now, no trade talks have become public, though Frost’s fit with the Maple Leafs will likely keep his name active in offseason rumors.