Leafs rumours 3

27 Jul 2026 01:37:00
Okay cover your eyes!!


Or use this space not to look.
















Trade:
To Columbus

Gavin McKenna
Morgan Rielly
Ben Danford
Dakota Joshua

for:

Zack Werenski
K. Marchenko
2027 st round


Knies - AM - Marchenko
Cowan - JT - Nylander
Paul - Sissons - Roslovic
Lorentz - Blueger - Duhaime

Werenski - Raddysh
OEL - McCabe
Andrae - Tanev
Stecher

Bobo
Stolly


I know every peaked...

Peeked... Now go.

27 Jul 2026 01:21:24
I don't think this is a wild prop in all honesty.

If this is an unprotected pick it makes it worth more as without Marchenko and Werenski CBJ will at least return a top 5 pick. They have zero chance at playoffs without those two.

I wrote a couple different things, but eventually walked myself into it.

If that's an unprotected pick or top 10 protected (then it bumps to hopefully win the lottery year after), I do this.



I'd have the lines different, but I think that's as close to a contender as you get in the East. You can then add with Col 1st near the TDL.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I think CBJ actually declines more than Chayka does. Marchenko and Werenski are two massive pieces for any team and they can probably do better than 1OA+Danford for both together considering Rielly and Joshua are pretty much throw ins at this point.

27 Jul 2026 01:22:10
Forgot to mention,

I like the prop as a talking point. Even if you'll get crapped on by the usual "poo poo on everyone else's ideas" crew.

27 Jul 2026 01:41:27
I feel at the very least it could gain traction, and maybe something close could bang out for the trade.
Thnx LL.

27 Jul 2026 09:50:32
I’m definitely listening 🤔

Gotta sign and trade both Marchenko and Werenski to get me really interested (min 5x years).

This is the exact opposite of what I’ve been preaching.

Loved that you challenged me 👊

27 Jul 2026 12:33:35
It is an interesting prop if it was to actually hit the table. The whole thing hinges on Marchenko doing a sign and trade, and more importantly Werenski extending at the end of the season. If he doesn’t, it blows up in our faces.

Even worse... If he does it blows up worse if the league investigates and finds an inpropriety that a verbal agreement was in place prior to the extension. It’s an area they are going to be looking at hard at now.

27 Jul 2026 13:32:56
Good point, lots can go wrong here and what if Matthews walks in 2x years.

Here Peelander, have the ‘C’.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

27 Jul 2026 16:25:36
King Matty, in two years if Matthews walked, we just gain cap space to adjust (maybe Connor walks at that point too). But I'm looking at the for now stage and hope Marchenko and Werenski re-up and stay and sign longer term contracts, appeasing Matthews to stay for some serious Stan runs.


I'm starting to trust that Chayka can adjust on the fly in a decent type of way and can have plans and back up plans to what the future holds and good proofs the scenarios.

27 Jul 2026 16:39:01
Here’s the this thing: would you rather give up McKenna, or plug Knies in there, or say Willy if he would waive?

27 Jul 2026 17:02:56
@Thatguy If Matthews decided he was going to walk, then if Werenski was here he is not going to extend either.

27 Jul 2026 18:25:00
Champ, to answer, I'd rather put Willy in the deal as we save more cap space than Knies, who I feel may not get as many points as Willy, but plays a more dimensional game than Willy.

Suffering- If Matthews did walk (and I feel you mean he will walk this year) then I can agree, but if Matthews stays at least this year we would extend Werenski to a contract and try to fill the Matthews hole if he decided to ask for an out.

27 Jul 2026 22:05:20
What I am saying is that both Matthews and Werenski's contracts both expire at the same time. July 1, 2028. The earliest either can do a extension with the Leafs (If Werenski came here would be July 1, 2027. If one of the other decided they did not want to talk about a extension with the team.

That usually means it is not going to happen and it is time to trade. In that case if one is not coming back the chances are the other is not is that much highter they are not either. It would be bad enough going through drama with one in that regards let alone 2 players.

27 Jul 2026 00:38:39
Knies
To Utah


Iginla
Lamoureux
To
Leafs

27 Jul 2026 01:23:01
Based on what Tre turned down from MTL (a trade I would have done), this is not enough apparently.

I don't get the obsession with Knies, but that's just me.

27 Jul 2026 10:17:15
I’m with you @ LeafsLife

I’m sooooo scared Knies has an average or below average season and the Leafs lose the potential to gain top pics and blue chip prospects.

On the other hand he pots 40 and that trade value increases even more 🤷‍♂️

In my opinion it’s not “if” he gets trade but “when” he gets traded. My gut is telling me the Leafs won’t keep him past this 2x year window.

Knies is the only piece the Leafs have to flip the franchise.

Lots riding on him having a monster year. 🤞

27 Jul 2026 10:57:50
Matty, Why is it all on Knies to have a monster year, no pressure on Austin or Willy? Trading Knies makes them a competitor? Trade Willy, Reilly, Matthews and in a couple years you will be a contender with the pieces we get back in those trades and what we have.

@LL got nothing to say anymore - you and I have completely different thoughts on what it takes to win in this league and how to put a team together.

27 Jul 2026 12:13:26
@Clarky17 (my boy 👊)

Matthews, Rielly and Peelander have NMC.

Look at the challenges the Leafs are having try’n to ship Rielly 🤪🔨. I’m sure it’ll be even harder to get value when Matthews and Nylander give you a list of one team.

Again, Knies’s trade value right now could potentially be at its peak (who knows 🤷‍♂️).

You and I can’t predict tomorrow and they’re soooo many what ifs that can happen here.



The one guarantee today is he has huge trade value and has no trade protection and I’m sure the Leafs would hate to lose that if he doesn’t live up to the hype.

In a perfect world I’m sure the Leafs would love to keep Knies (me included), but unfortunately I don’t see it happening.

27 Jul 2026 13:19:44
In my opinion Montreal is running a perfect franchise 🤮. They have all top players signed for years, have cap flexibility, a blue chip goalie (Fowler) and top 3 prospect pool. I’m sure most GM’s would trade jobs w Kent Hughes in a second. Montreal has soooo many options moving forward “it’s crazy”. I believe Montreal has a better lineup today and tomorrow, way better than anything the Leafs have.

So, how do the Leafs stop this juggernaut?

In my opinion you don’t, in fact help them out

(keep reading)

“If” you trade Knies to the Canadians, the Canadians would be stacked!!!!! Who knows, might even win a cup or two.

As a Leaf fan, does this even matter? The Leafs aren’t even close to competing, not today or tomorrow.

“If” the Leafs trade Knies and bring back 2 or 3 of Montreal’s top prospect and 1 or 2 1st rounders we just helped stop that juggernaut.

1) The Leafs get into Montreals prospect pool
2) Montreal have less prospect to trade
3) Montreal can’t do offer sheets.

The Leafs have the power to give a huge blow to a division rival (today and tomorrow) by giving them what they want…Knies!!!!

A trade like this would put the Leafs ahead of Montreal’s second wave. Let Montreal have this wave, nothing we can do about it.

The Leafs have an opportunity to stop a division rival juggernaut by trading 1 player….Knies!!!

In my opinion, falling in love w a single player is dangerous. The Leafs need options moving forward and trading Knies gives them that.

27 Jul 2026 15:27:41
@Clarky. I don't want to upset you because I know you are very passionate about Knies. But those that call him and consider him a Unicorn and don't want him traded under no circumstances have pretty much put the bullseye on him to have to have a Monster season. If he does.... then of course they were right and for sure he could be the cornerstone for years. If he has a average or as mentioned earlier a possible fragile injury season. Then we may have missed the best time to do a trade for him. I am not saying we need to trade him at any cost. We have specific needs and would need to garner those to warrant the trade.

It is all how we look at a Monster season. For some it will be 40 goals for some 80-85 points. For me.... If he gets 65 Points similar to last season but finishes as a +1 or higher compared to that -30 that will be a monster season.

28 Jul 2026 01:15:03
@ Suffering I’m not a passionate Knies fan, I’m a passionate Leafs fan. Just looking to keep our key pieces that can eventually help us win.

27 Jul 2026 00:29:59
Time to
Move off the injury prone Knies
You will thank me next season after his separated shoulder.


To Rangers
Knies
1st 2027
That would be the Avs pick Mr. genius leafslife
Joshua for cap

To Leafs
Lafreniere
Schneider

27 Jul 2026 01:24:24
Thanks Luke, I like to think I'm a smart guy, but maybe not a genius.

I don't want Laffy Taffy. He can stay in his garbage organization. If we look at what MTL offered (and Tre should have accepted immediately Imo), this isn't enough.

27 Jul 2026 10:30:59
“If” you’re trading Knies (while his stock value is high) you gotta get a monster return.

And “if” you trade Knies it’s gotta be for tomorrow and not for today (prospects and pics).

27 Jul 2026 15:31:14
You need to add one more piece. If you do Lafreniere, Scneider and Gabe Perrault then that is a deal I am doing in a heartbeat.

26 Jul 2026 01:00:34
Kraken
Knies
Rielly

Leafs
Wright
Dunn
Miettinen

26 Jul 2026 01:51:42
Not a chance I’m giving up Knies for that package.

26 Jul 2026 03:22:22
Zero percent chance.

26 Jul 2026 15:42:38
Slow news day Fox?

26 Jul 2026 21:47:43
The only thing I want from the Kracken that is worth Knies is Beniers and the Kracken would hang up immediately. I don't see them as a fit for trading partner unless Wright's asking price comes down severely.

26 Jul 2026 22:14:05
Knies for Berniers would still be a pass for me. He’s a 2nd overall pick but if u compare players Knies is better at this stage and rather have him on my team. Berniers is soft as Beurre.

26 Jul 2026 22:19:51
Yeah Beniers is a good one. Very good defensive center and will get you those 20 goals and 50 points each year while playing in a very defensive System. The offensive Center for the future is Catton who also is good defensively but they have him pencilled in for wing until they can get rid of Wright. Chandler Stephenson is also a very good centreman. So down the middle they will be strong and have Jake O'Brien turn into a winger, along with winger Jani Nyman. Where they may need someone like a Knies is to replace Jordan Eberle.

He is still fairly productive but at 36 years old is this the year he starts to slow down? The problem is As LeafsLife said, the assets we would like to start a package with for a roster player is Beniers or perhaps Catton and they have amazing prospects... and draft picks but I don't think they entertain at all a trade for either of those 2 young centremen. I think Wright has to be ready to be a #3 centre or winger in this league. But I don't blame Seattle for trying to bill him as more and try to get more for him.

26 Jul 2026 23:25:51
LeafsGM still chirping?

27 Jul 2026 01:28:03
@Suffering, big fan of Catton as well, I would definitely also start a package with him, but that will never happen for the same reasons (as you said).

What's with the Beniers hate? He is on a middling team, in a defensive system and still produces reasonably well.

In the right system Beniers is a 25-30g and 75pts guy that also is solid defensively.

We don't crap on Barkov anymore because he's such a stud defensively (even if he is soft?). I don't remember Bergeron as a tough as nails guy, but he was a premier 1C in the league for years regardless.

This obsession with "toughness" needs to be dialed back a little bit. You need a balance, not a bunch of knuckle draggers.

27 Jul 2026 13:29:27
Seattle has the young players and the prospects that could be a very good fast offensive team. I have a hunch, if they get off to a slow start, Torts might be at the helm by mid-December. If he has them near playoff position at trade deadline, they have the cap space and prospects and picks; they could be interesting to watch.

Wright does need to move though. Too much of a distraction to start the season.

26 Jul 2026 00:51:09
Penguins
Knies
Rielly
Leafs
Kindle
Korczak
2nd 2027

26 Jul 2026 10:03:59
Try again

26 Jul 2026 15:43:13
No, don’t please stop trying.

25 Jul 2026 22:27:49
Blockbuster

Leafs
Werenski
Marchenko

Jackets
Rielly
Knies
Danford
1st 2027
Joshua

25 Jul 2026 22:05:14
If you want both I don't think this does it.

Also, who's 2027 1st is that?

25 Jul 2026 22:10:32
Assuming the one we got from Colorado, and didn't this get posted to death already?

25 Jul 2026 23:43:13
Leafs life
Really?
Try and keep up.

25 Jul 2026 23:43:48
Leafsgm
If you say so.

26 Jul 2026 02:00:54
@Luke As a team without a pick that year it's a valid question.

26 Jul 2026 02:02:46
Ya I do say so come up with something original is that your job as a journalist oh wait no it’s not.

25 Jul 2026 22:15:27
Leafs
Marchenko
Jackets
Cowan
1st 2027

McKenna Matthews Marchenko
Knies Paul Nylander
Duhaime Tavares Roslovic
Joshua Blueger Sissons
Lorentz

25 Jul 2026 11:32:19
Idea Trade idea

Lorentz to Buffalo for Metsa + 5th RD Pick to Leafs

Thoughts on this scenario? Personally, I think this makes of sense for Toronto:Cap Relief: Swapping Lorentz’s $1.35M hit for Metsa’s $812k contract clears over $500k in crucial cap space. That flexibility is pure gold for the Leafs' tight budget.

#13 forwards are easy to replace internally, but reliable puck-moving defensemen are harder to find. Metsa brings high end hockey iq and clean transition play.
Metsa slots in as the Leafs' #7 or #8 defenseman. He can go straight to the Marlies to log top-pair minutes and run the PP, meaning he’ll be perfectly primed whenever the leafs needs a call-up., Getting a 5th-round pick back is a nice sweetener to replenish assets or use as future trade bait. Yes he's small I know.

Would you pull the trigger on this?

Do Leafs need anymore Steven Lorentz?

Personally i want to see Blueger Joshua together again so that's why Joshua staying in leafs. And maby third player is Cowan on that line.

And Nick Paul top6 player.

25 Jul 2026 16:24:52
Domi will be on LTIR
They don’t need to trade anyone.

25 Jul 2026 17:31:39
You can waiver Lorentz and save $1.2m. Don’t need this Metsa guy, a 27yr old dman; we got enough of those. I’m happy with the 5th rd pick and the total $1.35m savings.

24 Jul 2026 21:30:42
Cry baby Marner, Vegas reporters don't care about him or the other players so he has to bash the Leafs Fans and media to get the attention he craves.

He is a narcistic complainer who wants and needs attention like a little baby
This is why he makes comments and story's up.

Enjoy your silence in Vegas and stop complaining to Leaf Fans as we have already forgotten you!!

24 Jul 2026 23:51:34
Yes it’s kind of sad to still hear about whatever is being spewed
Enough about him
We have all moved on?
Wierd he has not.

25 Jul 2026 11:30:57
Slow news day.

24 Jul 2026 21:04:41
Toronto– Seattle trade idea?!

To Toronto
Mackie Samoskevich
Ryker Evans
2028 3-round pick

to Seattle:
Morgan Riely
2027 2nd-round pick.

This deal would also give Toronto a little bit more salary cap flexibility by moving Rielly's contract.

Evans would bring excellent skating and puck-moving ability (Chayka likes) to the blue line, and he still has a team-friendly 1 year contract. The main target, however, is Samoskevich.

I think he has the potential to become a second-line winger within a year, while right now he's probably best suited for a third-line role. He is fast and skilled.

Toronto's bottom sixx is already crowded, so Loerentz will probably end up elsewhere. Domi is also expected to miss at least half the season, if not the entire season, which creates an opportunity for a player like Samoskevich.

And Seattle, they get pp defenseman. And 2nd round pick.

24 Jul 2026 21:10:08
Seattle just paid a 2026 1st round pick and a conditional 2027 2nd round pick for Samoskevich. No chance this deal ever happens.

24 Jul 2026 22:16:03
Exactly

24 Jul 2026 22:41:59
That deal unfortunately wouldn’t get either one of those players. But I’m a big fan of Ryker Evans, I think he is gonna be a good one. Samoskevich could be a good one for Seattle with a little more opportunity then he had in Florida.

24 Jul 2026 23:49:01
Lethargic

24 Jul 2026 00:26:39
To Tor
Rakell $5m
To Pitt
Rielly (if willing to wave) $7.5m
Groulx
2nd 2027

To Tor
Melanson RFA
3rd 2027
To Sea
Joshua $3.25m

Cap relief of $5.75m - $2.75m = $3m
Plus Domi’s $3.75m plus I’m sure Lorentz will be traded or put on waivers cause he’s not making this line up so there’s another $1.35m if traded if passed waivers it’s a $1.2m saved. Almost $8m in cap space. You don’t sign anyone let training camp go through see what happens with your bottom pairing dmen.

I know already you are all going to say he won’t wave, that’s not enough to get Rakell blah blah blah. So change the package but I see it being enough the guy is 33yrs old and has had injuries. Or replace him with Rust instead. Either way good targets contracts are done in 2yrs which is Chayka’s contention window.

Knies Matthews Rakell/Rust
McKenna Tavares Nylander
Cowan Paul Roslovic
Duhaime Blueger Sissons
Mcewen

McCabe Raddysh
OEL Tanev
Andrae Stecher
Villeneuve Danford Chadwick

24 Jul 2026 10:50:20
I’m definitely listening. The Leafs offence gets better.

But what about the Leafs defence?

I think if the Leafs pulled this move they’ll have to use that extra money on another D-man.

24 Jul 2026 18:15:41
Yes, you have that luxury to go get D-man but like I said why not wait till training camp and see what u got first. Then with that cap space u can go get one either an FA that is still unsigned or maybe swing a trade for one with that cap space.

I don’t think u need to just grab one right away. My thinking anyways.

25 Jul 2026 14:31:55
My concern is what’s plan “B” on defence?

1) If the Leafs pull this trade Rielly is gone. So now down 1x D-man

2) What is Tanev can’t get past the abdominal surgery or concussions? Now down 2x D-man

3) Definitely gonna have injuries during the long season with aging D-man.

So now down 3 or 4 D-man

4) In my opinion, Danford needs a full year in AHL to develop under Giordano and to get bigger, stronger and pro confidence. So now we’re down possibly 5 D-man

The Leafs most obvious weakness is D.

I don’t see a plan “B”.

Do you or anyone see a plan “B”?

27 Jul 2026 01:00:15
Leafs sign Logan Stanley!