Leafs Trade Rumors

06 Aug 2026 19:59:28
I really want the Leafs to get a top 6 forward who is also very good defensively. Honestly, I would love to get Mercer, but not sure we have the pieces NJ needs. So, I will pivot to another good option; although significantly older.

To Toronto
Rust $5.125
2027 3rd

To Pittsburgh
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs

Then, Leafs sign Ingram from FA
$2.00M/ 2yrs

Toronto gets a top 6 forward who can help shelter McKenna on the top line with Matthews.
Then they sign Ingram to back up Bob.

Pittsburgh needs to upgrade goaltending and if Stolarz is willing, then I hope a deal can be made.

Thoughts?

05 Aug 2026 20:23:30
Trade idea yeep.

Toronto Maple Leafs receive:

Artyom Zub

Ottawa Senators get
Morgan Rielly
Toronto's 2027 second-round pick (CBJ pick).

Something like this:
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Raddysh
McCabe - Zub
Andrae - Tanev/Villeneuve.

05 Aug 2026 20:51:35
Showed this to my son in law over in Ottawa and he pretty near fell off the chair laughing. He wonders why you would expect Ottawa to give up one of the top pairing defenseman for Reilly and the 2nd?

05 Aug 2026 21:05:26
Maybe because Ottawa is crap and can’t keep star players. Maybe the Leafs add a first, but I don’t think Toronto is interested, as they can sign Stanley for 2 million and keep Reilly.

05 Aug 2026 21:12:10
It's Ottawa that isn't interested, buddy. Have you seen their top 6 defensemen? I love Reilly, but Ottawa has one of the best defense groups in the league. They don't need or want him. I am a Leafs fan but I agree with my son in law. Ottawa, even without Chucky, is probably going to be a better balanced team with a lot less stupid penalties.

05 Aug 2026 21:19:38
As bias as it sounds, I’ll meet you halfway and say neither team is interested at this point. Like I said Toronto can sign Stanley for less money.

05 Aug 2026 21:25:57
If that trade was put in Toronto's lap. They are 100 percent interested. Ottawa not at all. I am not even sure how Stanley came into the equation. But hey if you want to sign him and keep Reilly and be over the Cap by even more money then go for it.

05 Aug 2026 21:47:07
Yes, absolutely I would because I’ll tell you something right now, Tanev is a mouse fart to the head away from retirement as per his wife; she said if you need one MRI Catt scan you can retire in your hospital gown. So that’s where Stanley fits in and probably 2x2-2.5 probably gets it done and we can certainly make room financially for that.

05 Aug 2026 21:50:01
Reilly won’t go to Ottawa. And Ottawa would never do that deal. Stanley is gonna be a PTO somewhere. No one wants him. Healthy scratch in the playoffs last year.

05 Aug 2026 21:54:50
Ya cheap commodity and tradable player if it’s a bust. Options are always a plus. Gambles seem to be the strategy, so hey, PTO for options, yes please.

05 Aug 2026 21:55:44
Tanev's wife told you that personally?

05 Aug 2026 21:56:59
And a player that had a decent season going before being traded and thrown onto a team that over achieved and wasn’t fully prepared for the playoffs.

05 Aug 2026 22:04:14
Suffering dude, I will not answer that question. I will say no, she didn’t directly, having said that I am close to someone who was in the room, wife in tears saying that’s all I can stand.

05 Aug 2026 22:05:20
My father in law is Boston fan and he said we should hang onto Reilly this year, to up his trade value and move out all 3 (Reilly, 34 and Nylander) next off season and he never fell off the chair once when he said it.

05 Aug 2026 22:10:21
Well one thing you just did is create a possible story for some slimy writer or two that follow sites like ours, it could be uncomfortable for the Tanevs if that gets out from a unnamed souce as they call them. Got to be careful of putting things like that out there.

05 Aug 2026 22:13:48
I’m comfortable in what I said.

05 Aug 2026 22:21:28
Really, Clarky, one bias per post lol.

05 Aug 2026 22:29:07
What is with people and Stanley? Zub is a premier defensive defenceman on a decent contract. Why would they want Mo instead?

Might as well throw in a third and ask for Sanderson as well I guess.

05 Aug 2026 22:35:26
Because that’s what we can afford plan and simple. Make Zub possible for me. What’s the price? What’s your package, anyone.

05 Aug 2026 23:19:42
You have me confused, LeafsGM. It sounded initially like you had no use for Zub and you want to sign Stanley and keep Reilly. So why ask us to put a proposal package to make Zub possible? It was an initial post from Thisisit, and it, as LeafsLife said, doesn’t make sense.

Zub partners with Sanderson on the first pairing. Reilly would be a 3rd pairing there at roughly $3 more this year. The Sens are looking to open contract talks with Zub in a few weeks anyway.

06 Aug 2026 00:18:48
No, actually what I said was there isn’t mutual interest in the original post. I voiced my strategy and I’d like to continue the dialogue, as I’m curious: if Reilly isn’t a viable option, what is? As for my strategy, my biggest concern is Tanev; we saw what happened defensively with him out last year, and Stanley is a cheaper option than a trade package for Zub.

06 Aug 2026 00:45:59
Well, I think Stanley overacheived in Winnipeg and really had not much to lose there in a contract year flying kind of under the radar. But then people noticed the points. Winnipeg wasn't going to re-sign him (which should have been a bit of a red flag for other teams really), then when he got traded most articles were about how he was going to be one of the most sought after free agent defensemen but Buffalo would probalby sign him and how we would command $4 to $5 million.

And then... he crapped the bed in the playoffs and exposed the part of his game the lack of mobility and trouble keeping up to the faster pace. Now there are a few teams sniffing but no-one apparently is offering anything of long term. Some offering 1 year show me contracts that are for less than he wants. He had that opportunity in the playoffs to actually land the kind of money he wanted if he could have performed.

06 Aug 2026 00:59:37
I would like Stanley on this team personally. We are playing in the toughest division in hockey this year. Would be nice to have guys that aren’t afraid of the physical games and will stick up for each other. He already beat up Brady, so that will help keep those meatballs in check.

The whole team plays better when they know there is protection and people have their backs. Matthews' best year was when we had Reaves on the team. One of the toughest roles in hockey but still very valuable for if you can be an asset to the everyday lineup.

06 Aug 2026 01:47:52
Clarky, first off, if we want someone to be the enforcer it can’t be a dman. You don’t want an instigator penalty or worse 3rd man in gone for the night then down to 5 dmen. You don’t miss losing the forward as much.

And as much as I hate Brady Stanley didn't beat him up he sucker punched him. I don’t care who the player is. I hate guys even on my own teams in the past who suckered guys.

04 Aug 2026 15:16:47
LA
Rielly $7.5M
Lorentz $1.35M

Tor
Moore $4.2M
Turcotte $.850M

LA is weak on LD, especially puck movers. In general, they do not get a lot of offence from their D and Rielly could help there. He could slot in on the 2nd pair. They would still need to move Dumoulin (likley) or Edmundson to make the cap work. Lorentz would give them a bottom 6er to fill Turcotte's spot.



From the Leafs standpoint, it would be saving some cap and getting two guys that hopefully benefit from a change of scenery. Moore has dropped off in his point production and Turcotte has never really come close to potential in LA. Both on much shorter term contracts than Rielly.

04 Aug 2026 18:31:24
I really liked Tuecotte when he came in as a kid. I'm surprised he never put it together. I'd do this trade in hopes he can at least improve a bit in a new place.

Moore is fine as well. Bit overpaid for me, but with the way contracts are going now maybe not I guess.

Good idea.

04 Aug 2026 22:22:12
Scratching my head here. Not really sure why both teams would do this. Yes Reilly's contract goes. But in the exchange we get rid of roughly $8.8M and gain roughly $5M. So we get rid of our deficit in the Salary Cap but still only have $1M in cap to the good. We also take on 2 more bottom six players while losing 1 bottom six, losing a defenseman and not replacing him.



On L. A's side. They take on that $7.5 and Lorentz $1.35 but they now are in a Negative $2 million on their cap. Maybe I am missing something here but it just doesn't seem like a great move for either team at first glance.

04 Aug 2026 22:49:47
Thought I explained my thinking on why both teams may do it including why Rielly would be an upgrade on either Dumoulin or Edmundson and that they would still need to move one of those two to make the cap work. On the Leafs side, both Moore and Turcotte line up with the current contract lengths Chaka has been signing.

Neither have trade protection and either another current player could be moved or flip one of these two if necessary. I doubt we get a replacement for Rielly in a Rielly trade. Possible, but not as likely.

04 Aug 2026 23:43:22
How many bottom 6 forwards do we need though?

05 Aug 2026 01:25:48
As you said about picking up Laine, can always trade someone to make room if these guys are better.

05 Aug 2026 01:55:22
I just don’t see the need to bring in 2 of them. Turcotte isn’t even pencilled in on the 4th line in L.A. If we just brought in Moore, it frees up an extra contract and another $850,000. Let L.A. keep Turcotte.

05 Aug 2026 16:31:24
It makes no sense. LA had 3 LD signed to multiple year contracts. One of them would have to come back on the deal and I don’t see them putting Anderson in the package, so u r getting Edmundson or Dumoulin at $3.85 or $4m for 2 seasons, which works with Chayka plan. Which either could work for 3d LS.

Remove Lorentz from the deal cause he’s a non factor. Forget Moore and Turcotte, go one for one. You save $3.5m in cap and u get a replacement for your 3rd pairing. LA only goes $1.75m in the red which they can waiver or trade someone to comply with cap.

05 Aug 2026 18:30:14
I would be good getting Dumoulin straight up for Reilly. You save l$3.5 and you get one of the steadiest disciplined d-men in the league. Very very good defensively and extremely rare he takes a bad penalty but still lays the hits out. 80 a year and 100 blocks a year. He actually would be an ideal guy to cover Raddysh defensive lapses.

04 Aug 2026 12:43:13
I still think New Jersey should be our trade partners.
Let's try this.

To NJ
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs
Rielly $6M/ 4yrs (20% retained)

To Toronto
Rittich $1M / 1yr
Mercer $4M/ 1yr RFA
Kovacevic $4M/ 4yrs

Not sure who adds draft pick and/ or prospect to balance out proposal.

Anyways, Jersey will now have a much improved 1A/ 1B goalie tandem.
Jersey get a 2nd pairing offensive Dman, who can be more sheltered at a reasonable $6M cap hit.
Jersey gets a more physical, defensive reliable winger who can score 15 goals.

Leafs downgrade their goalie situation, but I'm still comfortable with Bob, who is Mr. Reliable and healthy. Also, door opens up sooner for AA.
Leafs get a more physical, defense first 3rd pairing Dman to play with Andrae
Leafs finally get a RW who can play top 6 and who is also defensively responsible.
Plus they are now cap compliant without using LTIR.

Line up
McKenna Matthews Mercer
Paul Tavares Nylander
Knies Sissons Cowan
Lorentz Blueger Duhaime
Roslovic (just because)

McCabe Raddysh
OEL Tanev
Andrae Kovacevic
Stecher

Bobrovsky
Rittich

Thoughts?

04 Aug 2026 14:29:03
I'm not sure the Devils are that uncomfortable with Daws as the backup. Rittich seemed to be signed as insurance and we all know Stolarz injury history and bringing him in means Daws either gets waived and claimed, or doesn't play unless an injury happens.

I don't know if their D needs another puck mover, but with how they play, maybe they would like that.
There is give and take from both sides, I am leaning that NJ says no.

04 Aug 2026 21:07:24
We could always take Hamilton back in this purposal if Jersey retains instead of us and throw them a draft pick.

05 Aug 2026 00:03:48
Better chance of a trade with Pitt than Jersey.

01 Aug 2026 20:19:00
Tor Mckenna, Rielly

Det Seider

Not sure if I'm going to get crapped on for this one or not lol.

Signed to a very reasonable number until 2031, 5th in Norris voting and Detroit may call it a day with Larkin demanding a trade and floundering.

If you can add Seider into the top pairing this team is immediately one of the best defensively in the Atlantic.

Who says no?

02 Aug 2026 13:35:51
Good post LL. That is a tough one. It all depends on the Matthews situation for me. If he isn’t going to resign here, then we would have to start the rebuild around, McKenna, Knies, Cowan.

But Seider would be a good one to have and in his prime. I think you have to do it for a D like Seider considering McKenna is unproven at this level yet. Tough choice though.

02 Aug 2026 14:03:54
@Clarky
How about Knies for Seider? That is if Detroit would do it.

02 Aug 2026 14:38:22
@Tags, I knew this someone was going to ask this after I posted that. My answer is still no. Yes, Seider would fill a big hole in the back end but then we are making another big hole on the forward side and everyone says it’s easier to replace a winger then a D, which is true, but who are you going to get at 23yo, 220lb battler that scored all his goals from 5’ to the net again with silky hands and wants to be here and on a team friendly deal.

Teams aren’t moving their Tom Wilson type guys. If they would have jumped on guys like Kieffer Sherwood, Anders Lee (for a couple years), maybe Marchenko then you have an argument maybe that void is filled but we don’t have that. But I think Knies is going to be better than all 3 of those guys (if not already). Still a very perimeter top 6 except for Knies and an aging JT. To me, that’s the difference in playoffs.

02 Aug 2026 14:50:02
I think Detroit turns you down in both instances. But I do both deals in a heartbeat.

02 Aug 2026 15:41:23
Cowan, Danford, Colorado 1st for Seider and a second.

02 Aug 2026 16:09:14
@ CKps The suggested Cowan, Danford, Colorado 1st is a no go for the simple fact that at least if Knies was involved the salary of adding Seider is close to a wash as is if McKenna and Reilly were. If Cowan, Danford and the 1st were the trade, then we are over $11 million dollars over the cap. How are you going to fix that?

02 Aug 2026 17:46:57
I would do Knies straight up (Sorry Clarky) because as good as Knies is Seider is better. 5th in Norris Voiting for Best D-man and 11th for the MVP in the league Hart trophy. I am pretty sure to be honest it would take another piece with Knies get Seider.

Seider is just elite on Both sides of the puck. 5 seasons at $8,850,000 after seeing Byram get his contract and what others will be getting in the next couple of years. That in itself warrants that extra piece in the trade.

02 Aug 2026 18:13:52
Does anyone remember what Nucks got for Hughes. 3 top prospects and a 1st rd pick.
Rossi (9th overall 2020). Ohgren (19th overall 2022). Buium (12th overall 2024). Their pick landed them Novotny (24th overall 2026). Hughes is better than Seider by a country mile and already a Norris trophy winner. Look at his return then please tell me what Seider is worth. I know what u guys are going to say Nucks were handcuffed cause he said he wouldn’t sign an extension with them when his contract was up but he had term left so they got that return because if it. So does Seider being signed to a great contract factor in yes. He’s only a year younger than Hughes but that doesn’t matter. What Hughes has done Seider has not come close.

60pts his best productive season so far. Hughes has surpassed that total in his last 5 seasons. So McKenna to me is off the table my opinion. The proposal of Knies is off the table as well cause Knies is better than all those guys Nucks got for Hughes and is only 23yrs old still signed to a great deal. To get Seider I would give up Cowan over McKenna and Knies in the package plus Danford plus the 1st from Colorado and I would make them take Reilly to make money work who is still a viable dman. That’s how u make the money work not adding Knies. If they don’t want that package then he can stay where he is. But no chance McKenna or Knies for me. If it is Knies 1 for 1 not giving anything more. My opinion.

02 Aug 2026 18:53:21
I would not say that Hughes is better by a country mile. Points sure Seider had 60 and Hughes might have higher production in that regard. But I welcome Seiders 128 Hits to Hughes 7 Hits. That makes that country mile look closer to 50 meters. Seider is a true defenseman.

02 Aug 2026 19:19:08
Country mile better seems very hyperbolic. Seider is on a dumpster fire of a team anchoring that blue line.

I would give up Knies+Cowan for a true 1D that hits and plays all situations well. Sorry Clarky, but I see Seider as another physical presence like we all want Knies to be.

02 Aug 2026 21:32:11
Suffering…. Sry I didn’t finish my thought in my post. I had Reilly and Lorentz traded away for draft picks to make the money work.

So Cowan, Danford and Avs first for Seider, assuming Reilly and Lorentz were already gone.

02 Aug 2026 23:47:48
@CKPS You really think that's enough?

Neither one are A+ prospects and Avs first will most certainly be a late one.

03 Aug 2026 04:07:47
Oh ya I forgot Canucks are a contender Suffering. Hughes is better by a country mile; production speaks for itself, oh ya and not to mention hardware. Let me know when Seider gets higher than 5th in Norris voting. He’s not worth Knies plus. One for one swap. Did u see what teams were and still are offering for Knies? Multiple first rd picks and top prospects. LL, you are telling me to get Seider u need to give up Knies plus Cowan.

That's ridiculous. If Detroit was offered Cowan, Danford, Col 1st rd it would be close. You call Detroit a dumpster fire, Suffering. So having Raymond, Debrincat, Larkin, Edvinsson is nothing to u. But Hughes had a superstar team with him, gimme a break; he carried that team until he got traded. Big difference between Hughes and Seider. He’s not in the Werenski Hughes Makar or Dahlin conversation.

03 Aug 2026 12:29:17
Champ, if you are going to call people out direct at who wrote what. Where did I say Detroit is a dumpster fire?

03 Aug 2026 14:46:03
I think Detroit considers Cowan, Danford, and Avs first for Seider. They can have Quillan too if they want.

03 Aug 2026 18:00:20
I apologize, Suffering; it was LL who said Detroit is a dumpster fire of a team. Yes, Ckps, I truly believe they seriously consider that package b4 adding. Only issue is you need to get rid of cap to make it work if it’s all prospects and picks. Which means Rielly would have to be traded for sure.

Then all u need is waiver Lorentz 1.2m in savings if he clears, or trade him, plus Domi on LTIR $3.75m and u r good. Can even move Joshua $3.25m. Like I said, would love Seider, but I’m not giving up Knies plus for him. No chance. Unless one for one for Knies. Not part of a package they can keep him.

31 Jul 2026 20:56:46
Haven't been on much lately, but how do people value Zary out of Calgary? I think he has a lot more to offer than he's shown there. I was thinking like a second and Joshua to make the money work. Hope he can grow into our second line centre as Tavares ages and slows more.

31 Jul 2026 20:29:32
Ya I’d to that he was my line mate on NHL 26 be a pro and was able to keep up lol but in all seriousness that made me pay attention to him and I liked what I saw reminds me of Sullivan a bit.

31 Jul 2026 21:51:45
Zary doesn't play center in the NHL, he is a winger on Calgary. And apparently Calgary has too many wingers, same as Leafs. So, I don't think these targets work for either team.

31 Jul 2026 23:32:12
Zary is fine, but nothing special imo. I'd rather just keep Joshua if Zary also costs us a second.

01 Aug 2026 00:03:57
My goal is to find a project that has the possible for a 2C for the cost of a 2nd. Was also looking at like Reilly to Chicago for a prospect C.

01 Aug 2026 00:12:29
I feel like he has been mismanaged in Calgary though as well. I feel like they haven't given him a legitimate shot at C with Kadri, Backlund and Frost.