The Toronto Maple Leafs are only one point behind a playoff position, and with their strong start to 2026, they appear poised to secure their ticket into this postseason for the 10th consecutive year. The standings do not matter; the Leafs are in it and are ready to make a push into the playoffs.
With numerous injuries to players like William Nylander, Chris Tanev, and Dakota Joshua, the team has managed to overcome them and gain points in their last eight games. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still holes throughout the lineup.
This year is a big year for the annual NHL Trade Deadline, with many teams, especially in the Western Conference, looking to sell, and with that, many 2026 UFAs looking to compete for playoff teams. Here are three players the Leafs should focus on at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
Rasmus Andersson: $4.55M AAV – UFA 2026
There have been a lot of rumours circulating about Rasmus Andersson being traded at this year’s trade deadline. A 29-year-old right-shot defenceman is a unicorn in the NHL nowadays, and with that, Andersson is someone the Leafs should heavily focus on.
Andersson is second in points on the Calgary Flames roster, posting eight goals and 26 points in 40 games. With a team that is trending toward a rebuild, being second in scoring as a defenceman is hard to come by. With the inconsistency from long-time number one defenceman Morgan Rielly being an issue, the Leafs could look to add that spark in their defensive lineup.
It seems the Leafs have lost faith in Rielly, and this season has not been kind to him. Andersson could come in on that first power play unit and bring his playmaking and scoring to an already impressive special teams unit. Adding Andersson would jolt this defence and make them a huge threat to any offence speeding their way in the playoffs.
Jordan Eberle: $4.75M AAV – UFA 2026
The hardest part for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season has been replacing Mitch Marner, who was the driver of that offence, putting up 102 points last season, the most on the team. With him gone, no one has been able to step up in the right-wing position in the top six. The team has flipped-flopped between Easton Cowan and Nick Robertson, but it seems no one is the defined top-six right winger on this team.
Here comes Jordan Eberle. Sure, he’s 35 years old, but he can bring grit and speed to the Leafs’ top-six. Not to mention his chemistry with John Tavares reuniting on the second line, just like the 2009 World Juniors on Team Canada.
With a very good cap hit, Eberle has scored 14 goals and recorded 25 points in 37 games for the Seattle Kraken this season. The Leafs should consider Eberle for his veteran experience and ability to bring it when it matters the most, as he can bring that to help drive the top-six forward group.
Steven Stamkos: $8M AAV – UFA 2028
The Nashville Predators have been a disaster since making huge splashes in the 2024 offseason, acquiring players such as Steven Stamkos. The team is looking to head in a rebuilding direction, and a guy like Stamkos can bring a decent return.
For a couple of years, before Stamkos decided on Nashville, there were rumours of Stamkos joining his hometown team in the summer of 2024. Coming off a year scoring 81 points in 79 games, Toronto would’ve loved a player like Stamkos. He had a rough start but has started to pick up the pace, with 18 goals for 28 points in 42 games on the year.
The Leafs need a defined player on that top-six to play on Matthews’ or Tavares’ wing, and Stamkos could definitely be a great fit in Toronto. Imagine a top-six that consists of Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews, Steven Stamkos, Easton Cowan, John Tavares and William Nylander.
Where do we go from here?
Ultimately, we are still a couple of months away and have to get through the Olympics before we see what happens for the Maple Leafs. Anything could happen in a couple of months, but one thing is for certain: General Manager Brad Treliving has to pick up the phone and make major decisions if this team wants any chance at a Stanley Cup this season.
Under no circumstances should the current GM be allowed to make ANY trades without close supervision — and a strict ban on including future draft choices in any transactions that do take place. I can live with him screwing up player for player deals, but please no more squandering of even the possibility of adding desperately needed new talent through the normal means … drafting young players … ideally sometime before the 4th round!!!
Agreed. Treliving has already mortgaged the Leafs future. Three picks (including 1st round) and Grebenkin for Scott Laughton ? Fraser Minten and 1st round for Carlo ? Why is he even still the GM. He destroyed the Flames and is doing the same here. Opposing GMs must love when they see “fleece me please” Trelivings name come up on their cell phones.
Stamkos for 8 was a bad signing and still is! He was probably adamant in getting that with the Lightning which is why they just let him go. Apparently, he is all about the money. Don’t want him for that and other reasons.