The 2025–26 regular season for the Toronto Maple Leafs hasn’t quite lived up to expectations for the team that won its division with 52 wins and 108 points last year. Barring a treacherous comeback from the squad, it’s likely we see the team’s nine-season playoff streak come to an end. With the trade deadline looming only weeks after NHL teams return from the Olympic break, it’s clear that Brad Treliving and the front office should be looking to sell at the March 6 deadline. Here is my ideal Toronto Maple Leafs trade deadline.
Bobby McMann dealt
Trading Bobby McMann at this year’s trade deadline is an absolute no-brainer for the Maple Leafs. McMann, who is one of Toronto’s premier assets heading into the break, has been productive this season, sitting sixth on the Maple Leafs in points with 19 goals and 32 points in 56 games alongside Auston Matthews and Max Domi as of late.
The 6’2 winger also sits third on the team in hits with 126 on the season, only trailing Simon Benoit and Dakota Joshua. McMann’s combination of speed, physicality, scoring touch, and the Maple Leafs’ ability to retain 50% of his $1.35M contract makes him a hot commodity in a weak market.
A comparable for Bobby McMann would be the Kiefer Sherwood trade between Vancouver and San Jose. Sherwood, with only a cap hit of $1.5M, had 17 goals and 23 points through 44 games with the Canucks, and was traded to the Sharks for a 2026 second, a 2027 second and AHLer Cole Clayton. It’s not unreasonable to expect at least a similar return, given that McMann costs less and has had a better season.
Some teams that have two second-round picks between 2026–27 are the Oilers, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Lightning and the Seattle Kraken, who made a big push for Artemi Panarin and have done business with Toronto in the past.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is gone for the right price
OEL is days away from competing with Sweden in the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he has a chance to boost his trade value even more than it has been during his outstanding season on the Maple Leafs backend. With eight goals and 34 points through 57 games this season, it’s no question the Leafs should try to sell high on Ekman-Larsson by the March 6 deadline.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson brings a Stanley Cup pedigree to any team that’s looking to bolster its blueline. With two years after this season at a very reasonable $3.5M cap hit, it shouldn’t be hard to find a trading partner for OEL as long as it’s within his 16-team no-trade clause.
A comparable for Oliver Ekman-Larsson would be Brandon Carlo if the Maple Leafs are willing to retain. Brandon Carlo also had two years on his contract when the Maple Leafs acquired him at the last deadline, and although Carlo is younger, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Maple Leafs get a fraction of the return Boston did. Maybe not Fraser Minten and a first, but maybe a first? I would take that for Ekman-Larsson every day.
Scott Laughton, unfortunately, should be traded
If you put a poll out for Toronto Maple Leafs fans about trading or re-signing Scott Laughton, the votes would be a 50/50 split. Even with the high cost of acquisition for Laughton at last year’s trade deadline, a huge chunk of the fanbase has fallen in love with the gritty forward from Oakville, one breakaway slap shot at a time. I wouldn’t be upset if the Maple Leafs re-signed Laughton, but with the lack of long-term assets, it’s key that the Leafs trade Laughton at this year’s deadline.
Scott Laughton’s stats don’t tell the entire story. In only 39 games, Laughton has eight goals and 11 points playing lower in Toronto’s lineup with Steven Lorentz being his most common linemate. Coming off a broken foot in training camp, it’s been difficult for Laughton to find his footing offensively this season. Although his stats won’t blow you away, he is the perfect bottom-six centre and a great penalty killer.
The Maple Leafs have a chance to retain on Laughton’s $1.5M contract and recoup a chunk of the assets they shipped out the door to get him. Being a UFA at the end of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Scott Laughton get traded to a contending team for at least a second-round pick and possibly even more. Laughton isn’t flashy, but he is the exact player GMs overpay for in March.
Nic Roy also dealt
Nic Roy was the only asset Toronto got from the Golden Knights in the Mitch Marner trade prior to July 1. Although his first season in Toronto hasn’t gone the way the team or player would’ve wanted, Nic Roy still has value to contending teams.
Nic Roy’s offensive game hasn’t been great in the 2025–26 campaign, with only five goals and 20 points through 54 games this season. A strong end to the season would bring Roy much closer to his averages of 15 goals and 30–40 points. Nic Roy’s value comes from his contract, with another year at three million remaining on the deal. It makes sense why other teams might value a player like Nic Roy in their bottom-six.
A comparable for Nic Roy would be the Scott Laughton trade Toronto made last year. If the Maple Leafs retain 50% of Roy’s deal to drop his cap hit to $1.5M, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Roy’s market skyrocket closer to the March 6 trade deadline.
Make the correct decision
Coming off a three-game winning streak going into the Olympic break, fans questioned whether the recent stretch would give management false hope. To ensure the Maple Leafs have a quick retool, it’s key that Brad Treliving nails this deadline. Now obviously the Toronto Maple Leafs can only retain on three players this upcoming deadline, so they’ll need to be smart with their trades, but I think if Treliving nails March 6, there is a great chance the Maple Leafs are back in the postseason for 2026–27.
When you read a list of trade proposals like this, you often wonder how much thought the author has put into next season’s roster and whether or not they are talking retool or rebuild?
The current Leafs’ team is one that can be improved with some carefully executed trades but also by a bit of subtraction…..as in pruning the current roster to make room for different players. With that in mind I make two lists of players for retooling purposes who can be dealt at the trade deadline separated by valuable trade chips and players that need to be moved.
The trade chips listed in order of value:
Bobby McMann
Anthony Stolarz
Brandon Carlo
Jacob Quillan
Notice that there is no OEL on this list. Why would any GM trade a defenceman who is playing that well on only a $3.5M cap hit? Sheesh, how could that value possibly be replaced? Now the list of players who need to be moved out:
Mattias Maccelli, Nick Robertson, Simon Benoit, Philip Myers and Marshall Rifai. There is no need for a large stable of depth defenders if the team is not in the playoffs. Clear out these contracts and take a look at players further down in the depth chart.
After dropping John Tavares to 3rd line center and putting Nic Roy on his right wing, the team is looking for a 1st line right winger, a 2nd line center and a 1st pairing right shooting defender. All of which they will have a far better chance of ever finding with accrued trade chips and next season’s cap room.
Exactly about OEL! Even though some are saying it, it’s nuts!!
If the Leafs want to compete next year, it’s no question that they would be foolish to trade OEL! His contract is less than half (3.5 mil/y for 2 more years!!) of Rielly’s 7.5/y and he is better at everything. The Leafs should NOT trade their good and needed players who are on contract for the next years unless they’re rebuilding! Unless UFAs Laughton and Stecher sign contracts good for the Leafs, they must be traded because, otherwise, they are probably looking for the highest and most foolish bidder at UFA time. If they end up good for the Leafs at UFA time, they can be picked up at that time. Roy is only 3-4 points away from his NHL career average PPG so he’s getting close to normal. He isn’t very offensive! He really isn’t much better than anyone else they’ve had the past few years at 3C so replace with better.