Leafs Trade Rumors

25 May 2026 16:29:45
If they trade Nylander for prospects and draft picks, Matthews is gone. So unless it's a massive return of roster players that make the team better I can't see Matthews sticking around to see how the prospect and picks develop.

24 May 2026 23:53:44
One last push out for the weekend.

To Seattle - Nylander, Reilly, our 2nd Round pick this year #60

To Toronto - #7 overall pick this year, Berkly Catton, Julius Miettenen, Jani Nyman

We then draft Stenberg, and with the 7th we draft Rudolph on defense.

If Matthews stays, we draft Stenberg and he goes on his right side with Knies on the left. Miettenen has Catton centreing him with Cowan.

Third Line would be A. J Greer (as a UFA) with Tavares and Nyman.



Then Joshua on the left, Domi in the middle and Holinka on the right on the 4th line and find some power play time for Holinka until he moves up the lineup.

Miettenen follows on the second line with his 6'-4" 220 lb body. That second line would be a very entertaining line. 3 young guys that go hard every shift. Word is Catton has added a couple of lbs again since end of regular season with the goal of him hitting 190 by training camp and not losing any of that speed.

24 May 2026 23:02:22
This is a solid idea for sure, I’d add another UFA defensemen to eat Reilly’s minutes until we see what we got.

25 May 2026 00:05:23
The way Chadwick and Danford are playing in the playoffs I think we have Reilly's minute eaters already on board. Marlies won today and are off to the East Finals.

25 May 2026 00:38:38
Way to go boys Cowen is the man!!!

25 May 2026 00:40:39
They’ve never played an NHL game that’s a risky ask for the youngsters.

25 May 2026 00:58:50
Not really. With Tanev back our top 4 were

Tanev OEL
McCabe Carlo

Reilly had turned into a bottom 6, so to have one of the kids step into that spot is a pretty protected spot. Villeneuve is playing well to in the playoffs.

I like the fact that the kids are playing in a huge pressure packed playoff atmosphere. Each of their series has gone the distance. Those are games that build confidence in young D-men that they can excel and it is time for that next step.

25 May 2026 03:24:13
Hope they punt Matthews as well
San Jose is calling
2nd overall and Misa
Done deal.

24 May 2026 15:44:39
So of course this is again a wish list and not a reality post but it certainly would turn the page and set a different path if we went into full rebuild with a different cast over the next 4 to 5 years as draft picks and prospects develop but we also stay somewhat competitive as well.

First order of Business is to see if Seattle would take Reilly and his $7.5 in return for us of course sending him there along with our 2nd round pick this year #60 in return for Jani Nyman.

Next would be a trading of Matthews to L.A for Byfield, Brzustewicz and L.A's 1st round pick in 2027 (Non Protected).

Next after that would be Nylander to Dallas along with our best 2nd round pick in 2027 in return for Wyatt Johnston, Brett Seguin (If he can't play we get the LTIR and if he can play we have a solid 3rd liner for only one year at his salaary.This helps Dallas a ton with Salary Cap with $18.25 m going out and only $11.5 coming in. We also want their 1st round pick in 2027.

We then See if Philly would trade us back our Original 2027 1st round pick in return for this Dallas Pick and our other 2nd round pick in 2027.or the rights to Nick Robertson. Thier choice. This allows us to retain that 2027 original pick and then we have to give our 20281st pick to Boston unrotected.

Still more trades and transactions to do but overall we accompish the following with these 3 moves.

OUt- Reilly $7.5 Million
Matthews $13.25 "
Nylander $11.5 "

In- Nyman $891,000
Byfield $6.25 Million
Johnston $8.4 Million
Seguin $9.85 Million
Brzustewicz ELC

Then we have traded away OUr @nd from this year and both our 2nds from 2027 and the frist round pick from Dallas to Philly. But we end up with the above players L.A's 1st in 2027, Our !st round own pick back from Philly and now with the Colorado 1st rounder we got for Roy we have 3 first round picks. PLus we have $7 M in Extra Cap space. That is not even counting if Seguin did go on the LTIR.

Again this is just a start. We could look at a Knies deal Say he and Carlo for Frondell and Korchinski. With the 3 2027 picks if these trades happened take the chance to package them all to grab Landon Dupont. He is the reason we need to stock up on 2027 picks for the chance.

I know it is a pipe dream but I would love to see Frondell and Stenberg (If we draft him you defintely do the trade with Chicago to get Frondell) riding shotgun with Johnston and see what damage Ritchie riding shotgun with Byfield and the beast Nyman could do. Then you have J.T on the 3rd line finally possibly with Seguin and Cowan (Maybe easing Cowan into a centreman with the coaching of the 2 veterans. If he was healthy enough. If we did do a Knies deal for Ritchie and Aitcheson then you have Ritchie with Byfield. Either way with Cowan and either McKenna or Stenberg you would have a pretty entertaining team.

Defense gets better by adding Korchinski and Aitcheson then find a spot for Danford or Chadwick.

A team that is younger and faster with Hungry players.

24 May 2026 15:06:26
Sorry ignore the Ritchie and Aitcheson portion. I was on the phone app and could not find that portion to delete out. The Knies Chicago for Frondell and Korchinski was the final deal. Ritchie and Aitcheson was another option. It would be nice to trade a guy to 2 teams though lol. With Chayka’s checkered background he could try if anyone could lol.

24 May 2026 15:16:16
Why are you trading for everyone's pick next year. This year we have the deeper draft. So it's a hard no on most of those trades.

24 May 2026 15:50:18
How much do you know about the 2027 draft, Hrenkin? It is actually considered to be deeper than this year's. DuPont doesn’t turn 17 until the end of this week, and most scouts and GMs would rank him now in this year's top 3, so he will certainly be going #1 next year. That's why you stockpile a year and 2 years ahead, especially when rebuilding.

24 May 2026 16:04:55
I don’t get the Nylander trade. Wyatt would be awesome, but the second part sounds like a Nathan Horton all over again. I think Nylander is worth more than that. I don’t like the return for Matthews either. No from me as usual.

24 May 2026 16:46:44
@ Leafs GM78

I know you are not a fan of the rebuild and moving those guys. But if we could these players would change the fibre of this team. This will upset the Matthew fans but truthfully as much as he was a goal scoring machine and who knows maybe rebounds a bit..... If I had to watch another game where I see this 6'-3" 215 lb man who is supposed to be the Captain, skate away from one more scrum without helping his teammate/teammates I swear I will puke. I know people will say that's not his game. He is the Captain....that is part of his game. Maybe not to fire fists but to impose his physicallity and pull guys out of that scrum. The team culture needs to change and it starts with the Captain. OK There I did my Sunday Vent.

What's wrong with the Nathan Horton situation? You are giving up a 2nd round pick to pick up a player you are aware might not play and you gain that LTIR if he doesn't. If he actually does he is a good productive player still when healthy.

They say he is actually progressing great after his surgery. As I said that salary would only be on our books for a year and he knows his next contract would only be a 2 year as a UFA at a range of near Tavares in the $4m range if we kept him. But taking him and that cap hiat to Dallas is the only way we pry Johnston from them In which case the rest of the Deal is Nylander for Johnston and a 1st. That is a pretty fair de

As far as the Matthews deal I feel it's fair. Their top young Forward who is getting better each year and is not afraid to lay the body, their top defensive if not top overall prospect in their organization in Brzustewicz and a 1st round pick. That's pretty much what Matthews is worth in the market right now. Especially with him being non-commital about staying. People keep talking about L. A being a good spot for Matthews but realistically this is the best they could probably offer. They have a very thin prospect depth group in their organization.

24 May 2026 17:04:05
I'm not against a rebuild. I think it's premature, and I don’t understand what the benefit of an LTIR player would give us after shedding Nylander’s contract. Why not use the 2nd player for someone you know will play? Wyatt and Nylander are very comparable with each other, so it must be a personal preference to do this which is fine, but you ended it with helping Dallas financially, which I give zero you know what’s about.

I just don’t see the gain for name swapping other than preference.

24 May 2026 17:57:56
Sorry, I guess I am just stupid. Seeing you say I know zero. A team is not prying Johnston or anyone of top talent from Dallas unless they have someone of substance coming and also finding a way for them to lessen their cap.

Just common sense that the whole league knows. Right now their burden is Seguin like ours is Reilly. One question for you though? When is a rebuild going to be not premature? When the value goes down on the players we trade away?

24 May 2026 20:54:14
I didn’t say that I said I give zero craps about cap space and helping Dallas out cap space doesn’t win you games.

24 May 2026 20:57:35
Again that’s about preference as far as determining when it’s time to blow up a team for me last year was a one off after 9 years of being successful and I think with the coach change and a Real evaluation and investment in the defence we can be successful still.

24 May 2026 21:49:14
So you think Nylander is worth more than Johnstone and a 1st round pick?

And you think Matthews is worth more than Byfield, and one of L.A.'s top prospects and a 1st round pick?

Whether you like it or not, cap space is part of doing business in the NHL.

Sometimes to do a deal you need to eat some. But down the road you are going to need a team to do the same for you as well.

When you say investment in the defence, can you elaborate?

24 May 2026 22:15:18
Right now, yes I do. High draft picks aren’t guarantees. Nylander is better than Johnson
Matthews is better than Byfield right now, today. As for the defensive side, first can we agree the Leafs were and had been labeled an offensive-heavy team, which would suggest that the defence was the weaker side of the puck. So when I say investment I’m saying make it more complete, more skillful, more balanced, defined roles for players. Bottom line for me is blowing up this team the way guys are saying is maybe the team is better in five years.

What I’m saying is I’m not there yet because we haven’t iced the best most balanced team and we have that opportunity for at least next year. I say this because if you look at the fact we got a 1st round pick for Roy I can’t see Matthews or Nylander’s value dropping below that in the next two years even if their production is the same as last year.

24 May 2026 22:19:43
Sorry, one more question for everyone: I counted 10 top 20 picks in this post. How many of those picks do you foresee being elite NHL players in the next three years?

25 May 2026 00:50:41
I respectfully disagree with the Nylander being better than Johnston comment. Johnston is a more complete player. He is one of the best 2 way Centres in the league and can play wing when needed to. Willy has never been in many conversations as a 2 way player and can't play Centre. Willy is also going to be 30 next month. And while he can do some highlight things, he has not done what Johnstone has along with only 29 other players in the history of the league.

Exactly 30 players in NHL history have scored 30 goals in three seasons before their 23rd birthday.


When Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston hit the 30-goal mark to achieve this milestone, he joined an elite list of NHL greats that includes active and legendary stars like:


Connor McDavid
Auston Matthews
Alex Ovechkin
Steven Stamkos
Evgeni Malkin
David Pastrnak
Patrik Laine
Ilya Kovalchuk

He also has already matched Willy's career hight of 45 goals in a season.



As far as Byfield and Matthews Comparison... Matthews numbers are higher of course. But Byfield brings a whole different style of Play to the table that I think would endear himself to his teammates and the fans. Matthews was never the most willing to go to the physical tough areas in the first place and I am wondering will he be even more reluctant after this surgery? That's another factor to add in fpr his potential future value not only to this team but to other teams.

Lets be honest any of the trades we suggest are trades we look at up and down and we like or dislike but it will all lay in the hands of Chayka. If there were to be any big deals and cleaning of house. The only bigger name going before or during the draft might be Reilly the others would be after the draft. That is another reason in the original post had so many 2027 first round picks being suggested because the 2026 draft would be history. Before any large trades.

23 May 2026 23:40:00
I saw this propsal on a video

To Anaheim
OEL
Carlo
Robertson
Maccelli
2027 1st (via Colorado)

To Toronto
McTavish
Zellweger
Colangelo

Thoughts?

24 May 2026 09:39:56
It’s a solid trade. I just don’t see the need for Robertson and Maccelli to be in there because neither of them would make the Ducks roster, imo, but on the Leafs end I think we’ve all targeted the same group of players. Anaheim has a surplus on D and McTavish hasn’t been great under Q.

24 May 2026 11:05:17
I think Robertson would have a solid crack at the line up.

24 May 2026 11:16:44
I like the targets but think it’s a bit of an overpay.

I’d try and not have to give up another first pick.

Yes we’re asking the Ducks to take an older player in OEL but we’re giving up 4 NHL players for 2 plus a 1st.

We have to stop doing that!

24 May 2026 11:36:26
Trade makes no sense. You r giving up 2 of our top D men right now for maybe a future top 4 D man. Plus the D you really want to get rid of is not part of the package. Rielly needs to go, not OEL, and dare I say Carlo should not be traded b4 getting rid of Reilly.

24 May 2026 12:53:21
If the Ducks would also add Luneau, I would really consider this one. They get two vet D for a run at it next year and Leafs get two young D to start building off.

Colangelo shouldn't cost much to get, so the first and Robertson I guess would be for MacT, with a bit of Maccelli value. I would likely do it if Luneau was added.

24 May 2026 13:35:02
Anaheim has a surplus on D???

They have 3 signed for next season

Classic GOAT2.0 😂😂😂

24 May 2026 13:38:12
Replace Oel with Rielly and I would do that trade all day long.

25 May 2026 14:28:52
Done!

23 May 2026 16:29:29
Try a little mix up:

To NYR: 2027 1st (Col), 2nd rd pick 2027 (1st of 2), Cowan, Robertson RFA rights

To Tor: 5th overall pick.

Draft Mckenna and Reid (if available)

Knies Matthews Mckenna
X (power forward) Tavares Nylander
Joshua (2 way C) (2 way W hitter)
(Tough guy) (reliable 4C) Domi

McCabe Tanev
OEL Reid
Danford Carlo
(Tough guy 6/ 7 D)

Woll
A/ A or Hildeby

Need to make lots of moves or pick up some free agents. Can one of the Marlies fill these spots?

23 May 2026 17:06:31
Lots of player x’s
Makes for lots of ice time for the real players

Lazy post.

24 May 2026 09:42:49
I’m not sold on Reid. He’s got the tools but I don’t think he’s got the hockey IQ. Plus, seeing what Cowan was able to accomplish in his first year, I’d be hesitant to move him right now.

24 May 2026 11:18:13
Far too rich for me!

24 May 2026 12:34:49
Lol Golftown ... Lazy post. Not sure I’d go that far on a site made for entertainment purposes but whatever. Having said that, I’m not including Cowan in that deal.

23 May 2026 15:19:23
Tor takes McKenna 1st overall
Tor takes Karmonov at 60 (7-foot-tall and can skate)

Tor - Nylander, Robertson, #69 (3rd rnd pick), #114 (4th rnd pick)
Sea - #7 overall, Catton

Seattle wants to get better now. Toronto gets 2 top prospects for 1 of the better goal scorers over the last 2 years. Toronto takes Smits at 7th overall (Early comparisons to Seider).

Tor - 2027 1st, Knies, Reilly
Min- Hughes

This one is a swing. I know poeple don't want to give up Knies but Hughes is a top 2 d-man in the league. Toronto sells Hughes on playing with Matthews and McKenna.



Now Toronto is going to need offence.

Tor - Carlo, Stolarz
Phi - Tippett


McKenna-Matthews-Cowan
Tippett-Catton-Domi
Joshua-Tavares-Free Agent
Groulx-Quillan-Tverberg

Hughes-Tanev
McCabe-OEL
Free Agent-Smits
Danford

Woll
Hilldeby

Eventually Smits works his way up to playing with Hughes. Free agents to look at could be trouba, Lauzon, Carlson on back end and Tarasenko, Perry, Jenner, Tolvanen, Laughton, malenstyn up front

Anyone not named thats on an NHL deal trade for picks.

23 May 2026 14:55:59
All good but Domi still appears.
And in the second line 🤮

23 May 2026 15:46:48
I like the idea. But we must get a solid D somehow in this draft. Trade/draft, don’t care. I’m big on Chase Reid. I’d trade down a few spots, get some compensation, then go for Chase. Personally don’t think Minny would move Hughes. Maybe Faber for a solid return like Matthews. I suggested earlier that Matthews, Carlo would be a good trade for Faber and Boldy.

23 May 2026 20:58:44
Well if Solid D is what you are looking for in theis draft Clarky, I think we can trade down and get who I think is the steal of the draft, plus additional pieces. We trade down to #4 to Chicago and get greedy (Afterall we are giving them the 1st overall) and ask for their 4th, Vanacker and Pridham. We then take Albert Smits.... this kid has played at every single level you could think of this year, Club Junior and Club Professional in Finland, World Junior for Latvia, Pro in Germany on Loan from his Club in Finland, Olympics for Latvia and the World Championships for Latvie. He doesn't care who he plays against or at what level. He Skates and hits at the same skill level of the players he plays againest or above in any of those Environments.

I love Verhoeff but Smits right now is the most pro ready of all the defensemen available and still has not hit his peak or even close to it. He got lost in the shuffle of the Fixation of the North American defensemen but he is certainly the real deal and it would not be a bad trade to purue especially with the Pridham and Vanacker in there as well. Chicago might bite even at that hight price, because McKenna with his Cousin Bedard (Who both really had not idea who they were because they are so far apart in the cousins family tree) would see tickets, and barring that Frondell with Stenberg would sell tickets as well.

24 May 2026 09:47:44
The problem you have is pretty clear: you move Nylander for a high pick and prospect but leave a huge hole in your lineup. I’m all for moving Willy if it’s a deal that makes sense.

24 May 2026 12:38:39
Forward group is not good... Domi on second line says it all.