Leafs Trade Rumors

04 Mar 2026 19:25:48
Toronto is straight up shaking up the deck and shaking the roster big time boys.

So in this hypothetical blockbuster to Edmonton: Leafs send out McMann, OEL, Laughton and Danford.
In return Toronto gets Isaac Howard, Alec Regula, Trent Frederic, Damien Carfagna and
a juicy 2026 1st rounder.

Leafs finally clear some cap and get a high upside prospect + solid pieces, Oilers add veteran depth for the Cup push.

Isaac
Howard would be the clear main target / centerpiece in this deal for Toronto hands down. Dude has massive upside to become a legit top-6 winger here quick.

Alec Regula could slot right into the 3rd pairing on D. Big (6'4"), right-shot puck-mover who can transition the puck well and play safe/ smart minutes. Not a world-beater but solid depth piece who moves the puck better than a lot of our current bottom-pair guys. Perfect for stabilizing the blue line without breaking the bank.

Trent Frederic would bring that physical edge to the 3rd line as a center/ winger hybrid. 6'3", 220+ lbs grinder with some skill, good at forechecking, winning board battles, and chipping in secondary scoring.



Carfagna is more of a lottery ticket / dart throw. Late-bloomer college D (23 yo, ), skates well, defense-first with puck-carrying ability, already showing well in AHL this year. Could pan out as a cheap bottom-pair NHLer with two-way upside, or just stay AHL depth. Low risk/ high-ish reward prospect.

Third line *Maccelli Frederic Howard* or Howard take first line spot *Knies Auston Howard*.

Regula 3rd pair defence line and Carafagna sent Marlies and potential third pairing guy with some upside.

Toronto's giving up a LOT here, Danford included (our shiny 2024 1st-round D prospect who's a shutdown beast and already looking NHL-bound). Short-term L for sure.

But Howard? Dude's got way more NHL potential than Danford at this stage, explosive skater, sniper release, can play with pace and skill. If he becomes that top-6 winger we've desperately needed (and he looks like he can).

Might sting now, but could be the move that finally gives us a young scoring punch. Worth the gamble?

04 Mar 2026 19:38:59
I don’t know where to start.
This is bad, a big sorry since it seems you worked hard on it.
Oilers don’t have the cap space for this trade!
They don’t have a juicy R1 in 2026!
Frederic might be 6.3 but he cannot put the puck in the ocean!
Carfagna has done nothing to get excited about!
Regula is regular.
We can get so much more for our players!

04 Mar 2026 09:52:10
Tor: Roy Akhyamov 2027 2nd
NJD: Mercer Seamus

Idk if the Devils like what I’m selling lol but my logic would be they get a cheaper two way centre that fits a third line role a bit better a goalie prospect and a 2nd next year. For the Leafs Mercer is an idea candidate, he’s young on a cost controlled deal, helps move JT to the wing and the Leafs also target a D prospect he’s undersized but he’s got good numbers other than that don’t know much about him.



Here’s my second line next year

Tavares Mercer Nylander

04 Mar 2026 12:57:42
I think a lot of this comes down to where they view Daws to Akhyamov. If they think Daws is the better goalie, then not as appealing. NJ has a massive problem with way too many guys giving the puck away way too much. Mercer is up there, but only 24. Roy is usually safer with the puck and that may appeal to NJ.
Seamus Casey, undersized as you say, but like most small guys can skate and move the puck.

Really good on the PP and could possibly QB Leafs PP eventually. Can he learn to overcome lack of size issue and use his skating and positioning to be effective at the NHL level? Is still up in the air imo. Likely an offensive D-man needing sheltered defensive minutes.

04 Mar 2026 14:30:44
Undersized is a big no for me on forwards right now. Is rather roll my punches on a draft pick.

04 Mar 2026 00:56:37
Gone by Friday?
Roy Oilers
Leafs retain 50 percent. Howard

Laughton. Avs
Leafs 2nd 2027

McMann Kraken
Leafs 2nd 2027 Firkus

Maccelli Sharks
Leafs 4th 2026

Carlo Utah
Leafs Lamoureux

Benoit. Penguins
Leafs 2nd 2026

04 Mar 2026 00:26:05
Don’t think you’re getting Howard for Roy. And you’re definitely not getting a second for Benoit!

04 Mar 2026 13:01:22
Most look pretty reasonable.

04 Mar 2026 13:19:04
I’d prefer to stay away from draft picks and certainly any past this year’s draft.

Laughton to anyone else but the Avs gets you more IMO.

Like Lamoureaux.

Agree that Benoit doesn’t merit a 2nd.

Return on McMann is too far in the future.

I also think Maccelli to LAK gets you more.

Just my thoughts.

03 Mar 2026 23:41:29
Tor: Laughton Carlo
Det: 1st 2026 Brandsegg-Nygard

Is this good value?

To me I do think the Leafs could or should be able to land two first round picks but they might have to bundle some of these guys together.

04 Mar 2026 00:29:08
Leafs add OEL, McMann and a second. Wings add Cossa.

Leafs trade Roy and Stolarz or Woll to Habs for a first.

04 Mar 2026 00:30:39
I do like Brandsegg-Nygard a lot but I can’t help thinking what we gave up for these two players a year ago!

Two 1st round picks, a 4th and Minten and Grebyenkin.

I think you should get back more, just me of course. But I think two more pieces are needed or at least adding Nate Danielson.

04 Mar 2026 08:25:14
@ckps I don’t think the Leafs need a goalie prospect.

@randysears Just because we were desperate doesn’t mean other teams are. You could be right tho, maybe the Leafs could target a guy like Finnie also who’s been a surprise player for the Wings this year.

04 Mar 2026 13:07:40
That would be a really good return if the Leafs could get that.

04 Mar 2026 13:21:21
Think we were more stupid than desperate!

I do like Finnie.

03 Mar 2026 18:14:19
SJ
OEL $3.5M
McMann $1.35M

Tor
Ferraro $3.25M
Chernyshov ELC
2026 5th (becomes a 2nd if Ferraro doesn't re-sign)

OEL is signed for 2 more seasons at almost the same money Ferraro makes now. With almost no defence signed for next season, this may appeal to them. McMann adds size and speed to their top 9. They have the cap space to re-sign him.

Toronto gets Chernyshov and the chance to sign Ferraro before the UFA period. If they can't, the 5th becomes a 2nd.

03 Mar 2026 18:54:02
Not saying I would not like that trade to happen. But to play Devil's advocate, Ferraro is 7 years younger than OEL and I think San Jose, being so thin at Defence, will probably want to retain him and offer what he wants, and he, being an assistant captain, I think with so many other good young players, will probably want to stay. As far as McMann adding the size and speed to their Top 9, so does Chemyshov at another 2 years of entry-level cap salary, and 10 years younger and as good, if not better, than McMann.

They then save the cap space to chase other players. Their cap room, as I mentioned in another post, is not as good as it looks. They have Celebrini, Smith, and Dickinson; they are going to extend them in the summer as soon as possible to avoid them going to RFA next season.

It would have been nice to add both those guys though. It just doesn't make a lot of sense for San Jose.

03 Mar 2026 19:55:43
S1967. OEL has a locked in cap hit compared to Ferraro likely getting a big raise, so if the cap is an issue, wouldn't OEL be the better choice.
I will add that I am thinking SJ will also want quality vets to add to the very young guys they have. Can't have a team of ELC guys forever. Adding OEL and McMann adds veterans with OEL being a Cup champion.

Ferraro is younger for sure. He also has no playoff experience, and if they can't afford to re-sign McMann, how can they afford to re-sign Ferraro?
None of their young guys have any playoff experience, so if they are now going to try and be a playoff team and then contenders, they will want to add experience imo.

03 Mar 2026 23:31:07
So yes, Ferraro is due for a big raise. But McMann's camp is also asking for a big raise. They can afford to give Ferraro the raise by not signing McMann and giving him that money. Thing is with Ferraro's age. He is not likely to hit the wall in the next year or 2 like OEL most likely will. Adding a veteran like OEL could help for experience. But also keeping Ferraro, who is a veteran who has gone through the dregs of the worst of the franchise and saw all the vets get traded or not signed to hit the bottom to gain the assets, I can see how he can bring the leadership and the hunger to win. So yes, Ferraro has not been with a team that has hit the playoffs.

Not due to his performance but how the team went into rebuild and deemed him a good enough player to keep through it all. As far as OEL, he really does not have a lot of playoff experience and although he won a cup in Florida they let him go to the Leafs for that friendly contract.

I guess my counter to this trade is .... Would you trade Ferraro one for one at OEL and would you trade Chemyshov for McMann if when it is all said and done the contracts might end up being the same dollar value after McMann and Ferraro sign their UFA's. I would do it as the Leafs but I think San Jose would say "No Way!"

03 Mar 2026 23:50:45
Fair enough. Opinion is opinion. Let's remember, Leafs would be selling looking to rebuild/retool and Sharks are looking to contend. Context matters, so it isn't as simple as would you or wouldn't you as in the playing field is even.
As for your Sharks analysis on keeping those who have grown with the team, you basically described the Leafs in how Dubas' thoughts on keeping all the young guys together even though they had no playoff experience but will be hungry and then motivated.

That didn't turn out so well. They didn't win a playoff round until they traded some youth for veteran leadership with playoff experience.
Maybe the Sharks learned from the Leafs' mistakes.

04 Mar 2026 00:12:43
The shanrks right now are still in their final stages of rebuild. They are caught off guard, they are near contention, but I don't think Grier wants to deviate from the Plan he has in place. It isn't as much that Ferraro has grown with the team. He has watched the team grow around him. He is the grizzled vet in a way, but is still a young guy. By getting crazy with a blockbuster deal it could derail what is a great rebuild. They don't have to do crazy deals or UFA signings, just some good reasonable pieces to Allow Celebrini to do his thing, Let Will Smith keep developing, and with Misa and Dickenson as well as Chemyshov this team will continue to grow.

Goaltending looks bright as well with Askarov and Josh Ravensbergen ready to burst on the scene. Mike Grier and team have done a great job. How much money "Mike" to leave San Jose and come lead the Leafs rebuild? lol

04 Mar 2026 12:35:01
Good convo.
You have ignored the Toronto build comparison though. Leafs progressed faster than expected as well. Rielly was slightly younger than Ferraro is now at a similar spot in the team's progression. The team "grew around" Rielly as well when he was considered a top-pair D. Or was he top pair because Leafs had no one better? What did Dubas do? He kept the youth and did some "reasonable" UFA signings as you expect Grier to do. Then he tried the old guys with experience on the cheap, but ultimately stuck to "the plan" (Shanaplan). They signed their young stars to big contracts, as you suggest SJ will do. In the end, it didn't go so well. They wasted the youth years of their stars. As I said, Leafs got better when they made deals bringing in more impactful vets to try and get over the hump.


As for the cap and them not really having cap space, even though it looks like they do. How so? Even if they sign Celibrini and Smith to extensions this summer, they don't kick in until the season after, not next season. The cap is expected to be $113.5M and they are projected to have $92.5M in cap space (Almost today's total cap). Even if they gave Celibrini $12M and Smith $10M on extensions, they will have $70M to fill the remaining 16 spots. That's a $4.375M per player average. I can't imagine that isn't enough. Add to that, if they want these young guys to continue to grow and have success, put true vets around them now, not years from now like the Leafs did.

03 Mar 2026 14:10:13
Was looking at some stats last night and found this kind of enlightening. So in some of the posts about Trading Matthews and or Nylander. Looking at these Stats. Who would you rather keep.... and on the flip side who is more valuable to trade for the better return.

Last 13 games. Matthews 1 Goal and 9 total points

Nylander 9 goals and 20 points

Matthews at $13,250,000 for 2 more years.

Look forward to hearing everyone's take on this.

Also... Did we miss the opportunity for McMann for a 1st pick... he has gone 4 games no goals and certainly in those games does not look like he did earlier. I think some teams will still like to have him but has this slump turned that 1st into something lower?

Nylander at $11,500,000 locked in for 4 years.

03 Mar 2026 14:15:28
Nylander has 7 more years.

03 Mar 2026 14:21:50
His contract ends at end of 2030. So that is 4 years with my calculator.

03 Mar 2026 15:35:28
Nylander is locked in for 6 more years after this season.

03 Mar 2026 15:39:38
Check your facts again he signed an 8 year deal last year you and your facts are obviously drunk

03 Mar 2026 16:31:29
If looking at PuckPedia, they only show as far as 2023 on the main page. But if you look under his UFA tab on that page, it says 2032. If you click on him to get the full picture, it shows all the way to 2032 at age 36.

As others have said, he has the rest of this year and 6 more. All with full No Moves.

03 Mar 2026 17:24:51
@Suffering, I personally don’t want either. Use these two to get young pieces and start the rebuild but if I had to choose, I’d say bye to Willy 1st. Body language is huge and Willy's sucks. He gives up all the time.

Stops trying, turns over the puck and just skates right by. Yes, he gets big goals but I still think he is not a good leader and he is not about the team first mentality. Plus you’d get a good package back for him.

03 Mar 2026 22:37:35
I am the first to admit when I am wrong. You are right. The team overview shows UFA earlier than when you open his profile itself. Which with that contract being tied in that long. Part of it means he is worth way more than Matthews with that Salary tied in as Salaries explode around the league. Worth more to keep as well as to sell really. As far as Willie not being a leader, well I can't speak for him but with Matthews as the Captain and Tavares as the ex-captain maybe he feels that is their job and his best way of leading is to actually put points up.

If Matthews is traded then Willie might step up and lead in other ways? I am not the president of his fan club or anything. I just see that he is still putting the numbers up when others are not and feel maybe look at his relaxed demeanor and take it the wrong way. He still produces so maybe the relaxed demeanor for him works.

03 Mar 2026 23:42:29
I also should add that Matthews is a good leader as long as he is playing for and wearing the Stars and Stripes. Not quite as good a leader when wearing The blue maple leaf of the team that pays him $13,250,000 to do that very thing.