Maple Leafs trade deadline matchmaker: Who are the best fits to pull off a move with Toronto?
|
Buyer |
Leaf player of interest |
1st Round Pick Available |
2nd Round Pick Available |
Interesting Salary Dump |
Potential Target for Leafs |
|
Anaheim |
Anthony Stolarz |
Y |
Y |
Pavel Mintyukov |
|
|
Boston |
Brandon Carlo |
Y (2) |
Y |
||
|
Buffalo |
Simon Benoit/ Troy Stecher |
Y |
N |
||
|
Carolina |
Nick Robertson/ Matias Maccelli/ Bobby McMann/ Scott Laughton |
Y |
N |
Jesperi Kotkaniemi |
|
|
Colorado |
Scott Laughton/ Nicolas Roy |
N |
N |
||
|
Dallas |
Nick Robertson/ Matias Maccelli/ Max Domi/ Bobby McMann |
N |
Y |
||
|
Detroit |
Oliver Ekman-Larsson |
Y |
Y |
Justin Holl |
|
|
Edmonton |
Bobby McMann |
N |
Y |
Andrew Mangiapane/ Adam Henrique |
Matt Savoie |
|
Minnesota |
Max Domi |
N |
N |
||
|
Montreal |
Scott Laughton/ Nicolas Roy |
Y |
Y |
Patrik Laine |
|
|
NY Islanders |
Nick Robertson/ Matias Maccelli |
Y (2) |
N |
||
|
Pittsburgh |
Simon Benoit/ Troy Stecher |
Y |
Y (2) |
Matt Dumba |
|
|
Seattle |
Nick Robertson/ Bobby McMann |
Y (2) |
Y |
Shane Wright |
|
|
Tampa |
Nick Robertson/ Bobby McMann |
N |
Y |
||
|
Utah |
Max Domi |
Y |
Y (3) |
||
|
Vegas |
Bobby McMann/ Scott Laughton/ Nick Robertson/ Matias Maccelli/ Max Domi |
N |
Y |
Some additional thoughts:
When it comes to Buffalo having a first round pick, it probably doesn’t matter nor does the fact that they don’t have a second round pick if their best potential targets are Benoit and Stecher. Neither Stecher or Benoit will bring a second in return unless you look at a situation like Pittsburgh where they could potentially be looking to unload Dumba’s contract while taking back a cheaper defenceman.
The Avalanche are interesting as that they have been so dominant this year but are in a tough spot when it comes to adding given their shallow prospect pool and lack of resources in 2026. As much as it should be in the Leafs best interest to look at 2026 draft picks rather than deferring to later drafts, if there is a fit with the Avs it would need to involve Toronto looking at 2027.
Detroit seems like a truly interesting option for the Maple Leafs to explore. Steve Yzerman isn’t shy about moves and their combination of futures and likely desire to dump Justin Holl’s salary make them one of the most interesting options for a Leafs team that shouldn’t be shy about dealing in their own division.
The wide-open Pacific is something that the Leafs need to take advantage of. Presently none of the teams in the Pacific would be in a playoff spot if they were in the East, and with the Kings adding Panarin and potentially pushing the Ducks, Kraken, Oilers, and Knights, the Leafs and other sellers could cash in on the league’s most mediocre arms race.