26 Mar 2026 12:48:58
I don't think we're talking about how abysmally bad the Vegas Golden Knights are. Yes, I know they're in a playoff spot, but holy wow are they bad this year. Maybe there's a blockbuster to be had there in the off season once they get swept in the first round.

To Vegas:
Matthews ($13.25)
Rielly ($7.5)
(assuming you can get them to waive their NTC)
Macelli (RFA rights)

To Toronto:
Eichel ($13.5 - starting next season)
Theodore ($7.425)
Andersson (UFA)

The cap hit is almost identical for both teams. Yes, we'd have to resign Andersson before July 1st, but we've also got a ton of cap space starting next year so we should be able to work something out.

New lines:

Cowan/ Eichel/ Nylander
Knies/ Tavares/ Robertson
Joshua/ Groulx/ Lorentz
(call up whoever you want for the 4th line)

McCabe/ Theodore
OEL/ Andersson
Benoit/ Carlo

LTIR: Tanev (as much as I like the guy, I think his career is done)

It's not a finished lineup by any means. I don't love putting Tavares at 2C, he probably belongs at 3C. But by the trade deadline of the 2026/2027 season (if we're in a playoff spot) we should be able to sell some pieces (Carlo, Benoit, Robertson) to get a center, then he can move down.

1.) 26 Mar 2026
26 Mar 2026 17:03:56
Well, as a Leaf fan I would love that trade. As a Vegas fan they would say "In your dreams." Eichel is playing better than Matthews and has for 2 years. Theodore is vastly a much better rounded defenseman that Reilly and let's not even compare Macelli to Andersson....

There is no comparison.

We would literally rob them blind in this and even for some reason it worked out somewhat for Vegas. Their issue is not those players..... it is the fact right now they have the weakest goaltending situation in the league. That is why they are playing poorly.

2.) 26 Mar 2026
26 Mar 2026 17:13:17
If Nick Robertson is your second line RW, you’ve got big problems.

3.) 26 Mar 2026
26 Mar 2026 20:57:37
I think we’re giving up the best player in the trade here, in Matthews. Eichel has never scored 60. Matthews is better offensively and probably just as good defensively. He’s having a down year but he’ll bounce back next season.

As payment for the upgrade, we’re asking for them to take Rielly and give us Theodore. Andersson is unsigned and has been an awkward fit, so getting his rights a few days before he becomes a UFA should not be expensive.

4.) 26 Mar 2026
26 Mar 2026 21:35:17
He'll bounce back on the goals next season.... That's what we said after last season. I'm not saying Matthews is not a good player. But he is not that 60 goal player anymore. He is now for the past 2 years a mid thirty goal scorer being paid as a 60 goal scorer and now he is also a player coming off Knee Surgery.

Do we wait until this year goes by and then he is in the last year of his contract and holds us for ransom where he wants to be traded. Or do we confront the Elephant in the room during the summer and ask if he would be interested in moving if we go full rebuild?