23 Mar 2026 12:33:56
I want to go on record that trading Matthews this summer would be the wrong strategy unless the Leafs get a boat-load back!

What’s a boat-load? For me it’s 4-5 pieces with 3 pieces producing an immediate return meaning players stepping into the NHL next season and doing well.

Why keep Matthews?

First he’s in the top 5-6 centres in the NHL today along with McDavid, McKinnon, Eichel, maybe Draisaitl when he plays C and possibly Barkov when he’s healthy. There are certainly others who excel but are not world-class like Crosby (who is still close despite his age) and Point and still others that are strong like Hughes, Suzuki and Horvat and of course we need to be aware of Bedard.



Secondly Matthews is a leader but certainly still learning this quality. Players do look up to him, he has good habits and works hard. He’s not perfect, he needs to “put players on his back” and better show the right pathway. That will come; he’s still only 29yo.

And he is still productive overall but his game is changing. Barkov makes the list because of his defensive skills. Matthews is strong defensively, blocking shots, helping the defence, stealing the puck and on faceoffs.

Trading him now, at his lowest, would be yet another mistake by Leaf management.

Let’s avoid that despite him not being perfect.

1.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 13:48:10
How about

Matthews to Utah

Cooley, Weegar (or Sergachev) to Tor.

2.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 14:38:43
Thanks, Gary, but no.
Matthews scored 111g and 96a in his first three years while Cooley has a bit more than half that total.
Cooley is good, for sure, but has a long way to go to catch Matthews.

3.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 16:58:32
I had made a similar proposal a while ago. It really depends on how Dallas does this year. If they fall short again, then they may be looking for a change.

To Dallas
Matthews $13.25M/2yrs
Knies $7.75M/yrs

To Toronto
Johnston $8.4M/4yrs
Harley $10.59M/8yrs
2027 1st

Go big or go home.
I know lots of people give me grief for adding Knies to trade proposals, but this makes sense IMO. Leafs get a potential #1D and a solid replacement for 1C.

Dallas is now ready to go all in next year. They already have a #1D in Heiskanen, so they may be willing to trade Hardy. Matthews playing along side Rantanen & Knies would probably be the best line in hockey.

Thoughts?

4.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 17:54:52
Robertson and Harley are very good players but I’m going home!
Who plays L1C?
There are so many other trades for me that can move us forward.
Don’t see that in this trade, Tags97.

5.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 18:05:20
Wyatt Johnston, not Jason Robertson.

6.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 18:55:48
Sorry Tags, you did say that and I do like him better than Robertson but still reticent to make that trade.

7.) 24 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 20:09:45
I would do that trade all day long with Wyatt Johnson. That kid is off the charts. I think he is pretty much untouchable though. Same with so many other teams #1 and in cases #2 centers. Carolina will not part with Aho or Jarvis anytime soon. If you go down the list in the NHL most teams will not part with a number one centre to bring in a number one centre.

They will part with a bunch of lesser parts to bring in a 1 or 1a centre. It is the same with Nylander as a premier right winger. Other teams will not part with their number one right winger but would love to keep that number one and have a 1 and 1A. To trade either of Matthews or Nylander it truly has to be a rebuild not a retool.

Sorry RandySears. I know you don't want to wait and neither do I, but the reality is if we don't blow it up. We are going to get the same frustration next year. I would rather be frustrated watching young guys give their all with some veterans brought in to be there for the pep talks when it feels like nothing is going right. As I said on the Leafs Talk side.

We won't know our dance partners in the trade market until teams start falling by the wayside by not qualifying for the playoffs or as they start to lose round by round, when they all decide their needs.

8.) 24 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 20:18:09
I would say ask for Johnston, Harley the 1st and also Emil Hemming from the Barrie Colts. Dallas won't go for it, but if they did, then you have a stud center, a stud D-man, a 1st round pick and a player who was a late 1st round pick that can score and has size.

9.) 24 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 21:26:07
No, you're right, I don't want to wait.

Adding Hemming helps but I'd also want Cameron Schmidt, a Caulfield/Stankoven type with blazing speed instead of the draft pick.

Four pieces for two! Give them another piece if needed. They did like Domi when he was there; helped them in the playoffs.