Leafs rumours 2

08 Apr 2026 14:46:11
Tor: Rielly, Benoit, Robertson

EDM: Nurse (2m retain), Quinn Hutson, 3rd (2028)

08 Apr 2026 15:46:38
I can see the Quinn Hutson for Robertson and the 3rd round pick for Benoit. But other than the salary being a wash with Edmonton if they retain $2 mil of Nurse. I don't see it. Nurse is in a worse decline than Reilly. Plus Reilly doesn't take the penalties that Nurse does which hurts Edmonton.

I like Reilly and think he is a pretty class guy but truthfully it is his contract that is killing him. If he was $4.5- $5 million instead of $7.5 we most likely would not be talking of trading him.

08 Apr 2026 16:19:39
This is more of a offense for toughness trade. And Leafs need people who will actually be tough. Benoit is okay, but Nurse is an upgrade over him. Ideally I'd want the Leafs to try and lock up Logan Stanley.

08 Apr 2026 16:50:40
The problem is Nurse is not a very bright guy and picks his spots to be tough. Case in Point. When Edmonto Played Toronto in February Nurse took on Carlo in a fight after Carlo hit McDavid with a clean hit. He won the fight but not a butt whipping at all. What stook out to me is Nurse came on the Ice to Go after Carlo for the hit but he was only 10 seconds or so into his Shift and Carlo was at the end of a long full shift.

Now.... comes the stupidity of Nurse.... there was no instigator but he came off the point to go and challenge Carlo near the net. It was a 0-O game in the second period and Edmonton had the leafs pinned in and had control and look poised to score but Nurse negated that. You can be tough but don't be stupid on when you are tough. It truly jumped out at me how selfish that play was.

08 Apr 2026 22:02:15
Rather keep Rielly over Nurse even with retention. He just declining so badly and quickly. No need for him.

08 Apr 2026 22:41:32
Howard needs to come back in any trade with Edmonton.

08 Apr 2026 15:38:20
So there are rumblings out of Pittsburgh that Dubas might swing for the fences in the off-season and try to orchestrate another 3-team blockbuster involving either Matthews or Nylander. They say that is why he has held off on a 1 or 2 more year deal with UFA Malkin. If he can land one of the Leafs, then Malkin would sign at a lower home town discount to take one more crack at the cup (If they don't pull a miracle and win this year).



Any thoughts on what it would take for that deal to happen? Other player or two from the Leafs and what prospects and draft picks from Pittsburgh of which they have lots of good ones. I have a couple of thoughts, but need to look at some numbers first.

08 Apr 2026 19:50:36
Nope. Next, those two guys aren’t the problem or solution. Stop posting about these two… all of you!!!!

08 Apr 2026 20:46:22
I admit, I don't understand your point Leafsgm. If you said they are not the problem, stop posting about them, I get your position. But you also say they aren't the solution. Then if they are also not the solution, isn't it better to move them? (hence talk about them and make trade suggestions)

08 Apr 2026 21:51:51
I hope that the following makes some of you smile with the nuances of it. To LeafsGM78 Rsponse.

Your post Leafs GM78 sounded like a psychiatrist's statement.

They are not the problem but also not the solution? So does that mean is It has to be your parents that are the problem or the solution? lol lol

So I will respond to the psychiatrist Analysis with a Psycholigical response.

I have to disagree. They have both been here 10 years. We are in a constant state of looking at the peak of Everest with these Sherpa guides. We have never got to the peak.

So perhaps the solution is to get rid of one or both of the guides and find some younger guides that are hungrier to get to the summit. Especially when you have two of the most valuable experienced guides that might work better as solo Sherpas heading up a different Expedition and in return we get the young inovative new guides.

To negotiate the exchange of Sherpas, we may need to hire Pemba Nurbu Who is a Climbing Sherpa who leads Everest Climbs but is also a Monk as our new GM.

All in Fun. But really... we need to make some moves and not stick with what is not working.

08 Apr 2026 22:04:45
How bout they r not getting traded and we ended it at that instead of this ongoing nonsense. There are specific websites and groups you can go to and have this ridiculous conversations.

08 Apr 2026 22:59:57
And yet you yourself have suggested some of these trades yourself? You are now a Born Again hockey poster? lol lol

08 Apr 2026 09:00:51
Just a thought in a hypothetical scenario but if the Leafs win the draft lottery I think that depending on who else wins a trade makes more sense.

Tor- #1
Whoever- #3 + top prospect

The reason being that McKenna will be great but the Leafs already have offence and need Verhoeff. Teams like Vancouver and Calgary desperately need offence and won't draft Verhoeff because Vancouver had Buuim and Calgary has Parekh.

Wondering what everyone else thinks of this? The only team that throws a wrench in this plan is Chicago because they already have a top guy in Frondell to play with Bedard but are lacking that #1 dman.

08 Apr 2026 09:36:28
@VanCreamdyk

I think your scenario is what most want if the Leafs somehow win the lottery. As for Chicago, they have a lot of young talent on their blueline and would without a doubt take McKenna or Stenberg at 1 same goes for Vancouver and or Calgary.

I would say the only wrench would be coming from the Leafs themselves are the creative and or smart enough to do something like this.

08 Apr 2026 12:41:53
It is pretty much a slam dunk that if Chicago got first overall they will take Stenberg. He and Frondell played together at the WJC and won gold. Frondell is already showing at NHL level what he can do. Stenberg at a year younger was even slightly ahead of Frondell in the Swedish Men’s league in scoring 33 points to 28.

By reuniting them they can drive a line and Bedard can drive his line knowing the opposition now has to spread out their checking lines.

08 Apr 2026 14:16:05
@VanCreamdyk A team with this years draft crop is not going to give up a Top Prospect to move up 2 spots. They might give you a 2nd or 3 round pick to swap if you are 1 spot apart in the draft. Every team has a need for a McKenna and a Stenberg and a Malholtra and those same teams all have a need for a Verhoef, a Carels and a Reid on Defence.

You might see some swaps in the middle or end of round in 1st round but 1-16 no-one is going home super disappointed. And.... every team will say the same exact thing. "We never thought he would be available at this pick?" lol.

08 Apr 2026 14:51:44
@suffer, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Chicago is going to need to draft dmen aswell. I'd a solitely put the thinking they have some top tier d options in their pick they should really consider. As the Leafs have proven you need more than 1 skilled dmen.

08 Apr 2026 16:13:39
I have to disagree with that Hrenkin. With Levshunov, Vlasic, Korchinski, Rinzel, Crevier, and Del Mastro you have 6 Defensemen that are all good young D-Men aged 20 to 24 that have been groomed to come up through the system and take roster spots. This team doesn't need to draft a 18 year old D-man. They need to build their forwards into a dangerous balanced unit to spread out the offense. You can't compare the Hawks defence to Toronto's.

Chicago already has commited to that young core of D men. That is why Seth Jones, Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson are no longer in Chicago. If we go into Full Rebuild that is the route we will have to do.

I don't profess to be a genius but.....if my team was in a 3 way tie for the lowest scoring team in the NHL I am going to draft some offense if I have a chance at it.

07 Apr 2026 00:29:47
Personally I don't see a fit with the California teams and the Matthews and Nylander going there from the Leafs even though I have myself tossed oout a few names in the past. Those California teams because of tax reasons are some of the teams on a lot of players no-trade teams because of Tax issues and Cost of Living.



However if names were put out there I think Luneau and Colangelo as extra names when you are utilizing McTavish as the key piece is kind of rediculous. I would be asking for Tarin Smith and Maxim Masse and Roger McQueen and a 1st as a starting point.

07 Apr 2026 08:46:39
They currently pay more in taxes than they would in California, plus living in a warm climate is even more attractive.

To me, Anaheim and San Jose make the most sense to make a big splash; they are teams on the come up. Think about when Matthews, Nylander and Marner showed up Toronto became more attractive…

As for the return, if you’re moving a top end player you want more than just prospects; you fill your needs such as an offensive D-man, a centre and picks.

Anaheim is the most ideal trading partner in my opinion because they have good young NHL player plus a strong prospect pool.

07 Apr 2026 12:40:16
The tax difference is so close us not a big hinderance for Toronto because of the signing bonus tax breaks that are given to U.S. players. Toronto has deep pockets do doing major upfront signing bonuses helps them. It all counts of course in the salary cap with the team. But the bonuses do offset a lot of tax to the players.



Re: The young player and prospects from Anaheim the only one on the team I can see them parting with from the roster is Mctavish and I’m not really sold on him. I was just saying that for other prospects like Luneau and Colangelo I like Tarin Smith, Maxim Masse and of course Roger McQueen.

07 Apr 2026 17:50:23
I agree with you, Goat. I have mentioned Anaheim and SJ as great fits for a big Leaf trade. Both are primed to want to add imo.
As we all know, Luneau is still the guy for me as a player I would target. He wouldn't be the main piece of a big trade, but should be a piece. Smith and Masse interest me, but I am always a little leery of guys who have big years as overagers in Junior.


I think Anaheim would have interest in Nylander mostly. A 40 goal top line RW. Yes he has his warts and not my favourite player, but the talent still is in demand. Sennecke has dropped off after a great start. If we could get Sennecke and Luneau for Nylander, I would be all over that.
Matthews in SJ seems like a great fit to me.

07 Apr 2026 19:08:35
Actually, if Anaheim doesn't sign Smith by June 1 he can re-enter the draft. He was. Who knows he might be a player that if he did could end up being a interesting draft piece at end of 1st or beginning of 2 round. Masse could have done the same but opted to commit to NCAA which allows Anaheim longer time to sign him.

07 Apr 2026 19:49:12
@ Goat2.0 You mentioned "Think about when Matthews, Nylander and Marner showed up, Toronto became more attractive…" who did they become attractive to? Other than Tavares signing as a free agent.... I don't really recall any big names similar to what we are talking about trading to Anaheim arriving to play with those 3 young players.

08 Apr 2026 10:00:30
@RLF My only knock on a guy like Luneau is that we haven’t seen it at the NHL level. He could be a stud or he could be a dud. That’s why I favoured a guy like Mintukov. As for Sennecke, I find it hard to see the Ducks wanting to move off of such a young cost controlled player, not to mention the amount of flack they took for taking him at 3 and they now look smart. I wouldn't think they just punt that, but who knows right. I’m still in favour of McTavish and Mintukov. They are not studs but they are good players who have shown they can do it at the NHL level

@sufferingsince

After the Leafs drafted Matthews they were able to land a guy like Marleau.

Then JT came and just the overall feeling towards the team was that they were an up and coming team that had a lot of respect league wide. Now after JT is when they signed all the big contracts so they never had the cash to be aggressive in free agency, which is why I think the Tavares signing was the beginning of the end even tho I think he’s been the best free agent signing in history for the Leafs. It was just at that moment everything shifted to those three wanting all the money.

08 Apr 2026 12:57:33
@Goat2.0 You actually proved my point. We signed a 38-year-old UFA with Marleau past his prime. Nothing at all like bringing in a big name like a Nylander or a Matthews like you are talking through trade that would actually subtract from Anaheim's assets. As far as Tavares… it had nothing to do with the young guys.

It was his lifelong dream to play with the Leafs no matter what kind of team they had and being the highest paid player in the league helped too. Anaheim is better off hanging on to their stars and prospects (McTavish could be traded to free up cap but I don’t want him here). Then they grab some good UFA character pieces.

06 Apr 2026 23:44:29
Red Wings: Debrincat

Leafs: Nylander

06 Apr 2026 23:21:34
I'm assuming the system cut you off before you could add the other one or two players or 1st round picks coming back with Debrincat? lol

07 Apr 2026 20:59:59
Wings add Danielson and Cossa. Leafs add Domi.

06 Apr 2026 14:28:31
Not a crazy large trade (Getting rid of the large part of his salary is though.)

Seattle - Reilly (We eat $1.5 retention) so still saves $6m a year

Toronto - Tyson Jugnauth
2nd Round Pick in 2026 (Seattle has 2 first round picks so it won't hurt them that much to give up the 2nd round pick.

We look at bloodlines and go after Simon Nemec's brother Adam Nemec who joined the Sudbury Wolves after the WJC and put up 35 points in 31 games adjusting to a new league and country and put up 5 points in 5 games at the WJC.

He is ranked anywhere from 24th to 64th so might be available around that 37th pick that Seattle currently is sitting at.

06 Apr 2026 15:05:47
Good chance Seattle might want another piece but we offer this as an appetizer and see what they want for dessert.

07 Apr 2026 08:47:53
Seattle has Montour and Dunn why would they want Reilly?

07 Apr 2026 12:49:22
Because it looks like Oleksiak is looking to explore the UFA market and move on and because Dunn has only one year left on his contract they have been fielding offers and some big deals on moving him for a major forward point producer.

He is arguably there best asset to pull off a big deal for another established player etc. Maybe again is that the team Toronto offers up Nylander or Matthew’s to if the would go?

07 Apr 2026 17:40:55
I see the fit. Oleksiak gone and Dunn 1yr left on contract. Only LD signed to multiple is Lindgren. Only Dunn has more points than Rielly. What I was thinking instead of a prospect and a 2nd. You think if Leafs retained say $2m would Sea give up the 1st rd pick from Tampa? Cause Rielly at $5.5m is better than trying to resign Dunn who will definitely cost them more than that on a new deal.

I’m thinking a new contract would be in the $8-$8.5m range.

07 Apr 2026 19:12:10
Good possibility on that 1st round pick for higher retention. Seattle I think as well is a team because it is close to B.C. and Reilly's family could be one he would waive the no trade for, not to mention it is a Tax Free spot, so increases his Pay Cheque at the end of the day.

06 Apr 2026 10:17:25
And Toronto is getting a solid third-line center, so Jack Drury would be a great addition to Toronto. It’s hard to estimate Drury’s future salary, but it’s unlikely to exceed $4 million, so I think a good contract would be a long-term deal of 5–6 years at around $3.5 million per season.

07 Apr 2026 13:32:50
And what are you going to offer Colorado for Drury?

06 Apr 2026 10:00:59
Alright folks,
Toronto should make a serious offer for Darren Raddysh. Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t had a defenseman in years who’s a real threat from the point with his shot, and Raddysh would be exactly that kind of guy.

I think Toronto will have to go big and offer something like 5 years at $7.7 million per season. After that, Morgan Rielly should be traded, maybe for a draft pick, andd Toronto could retain around 25–30% of his salary.

Then the new GM signs Bret Kulak to a 3-year deal at $3,5 million per year. I really like Kulak’s skating ability.

A Kulak–Raddysh pairing could be worth trying as the top defensive pair.

06 Apr 2026 18:44:29
Let's be real. Raddysh will want 7 million minimum in Tampa. That equals out to 9-9.5 in Toronto, he will also want a 7 yeear deal which makes him 38 when the deal is done. We would have to bet that he continues to be a star for at least 6 years and we'd have to bet that this year was not a fluke at all and he's actually a top 5 dman in the league.

I'm not willing to risk it personally.

06 Apr 2026 20:44:53
He’ll be Morgan Reilly 2.0

06 Apr 2026 23:15:29
Big question is... If Raddysh signs elsewhere, how good will he be without J. J Moser as his d-partner?

07 Apr 2026 08:52:15
Raddysh career high before this year was 6 goals, 37 pts. I'm not sold this player is all of a sudden the second coming of Shea Weber. Leafs also need more than one blueliner; signing him would eat a lot of the cap space.

07 Apr 2026 13:34:47
I don't think investing that much for that long to a player who only come out of nowhere and had 1 good season. Plus Tampa would be stupid to let him walk as Hedman gets older.

06 Apr 2026 01:29:32
Leafs
Voronkov
Jackets
Hildeby

🦆
Nylander
Carlo

Leafs
McTavish
Luneau
Colangelo
Vatrano

Sharks
Rielly
Leafs
Lund
Havelid

Hawks
Joshua
Leafs
4th 2026

Pens
Domi
Leafs
4th 2026

06 Apr 2026 13:21:56
So u want to give the Ducks to really good players for the Ducks throw aways. Good proposal. Cause Vatrano, Colangelo and McTavish have been put out to pasture by the Ducks. Luneau the only player I would take in that trade.

Other trades are what they are. But Nylander for that package is ridiculous. Swap out McTavish for Gauthier or Carlsson and remove Vatrano and throw in a pick like 2nd or 1st then u are there.

06 Apr 2026 18:45:08
Nylander and Joshua trade are horrific.

06 Apr 2026 20:45:43
McTavish is a bust.

05 Apr 2026 20:05:01
Nylander Carlo to Hawks
To
Leafs
1st 2026 Hawks 1st
1st 2027 Hawks 1st
Korchinski

Rielly to Sharks
To Leafs
2nd 2026
2nd 2027

Leafs drop in bottom five
Land 1st overall pick

Draft Mckenna
Draft Verhoeff with Hawks pick

05 Apr 2026 11:32:38
The Leafs have an opportunity to turn this around fairly quick imo… if the get a top 5 pick.

Draft one of the top dman

Tor: Nylander
Ana: Mctavish Mintukov 1st

Resign Laughton
Sign Marchment

Trade Reilly or buy him out

Knies Matthews Cowan
Tavares Mctavish Marchment
Joshua Laughton
Lorentz Groulx Marlie

McCabe Tanev
Mintyukov Carlo
OEL drafted stud

Idk who to put 3rw cause I’d move Domi if you can but he might be that spot Robertson I don’t think they qualify id keep Benoit as a 7th D but long story short Leafs get younger a little grittier without sacrificing production and I think it helps with the culture with moving out Willy and Reilly and if they flop then you look at Matthews but at least they would have some younger guys there to start a new core.

05 Apr 2026 16:05:19
Think you’re getting close.

It would seem you traded Robertson and Maccelli if they’re not in starting lineup.

Hope you got something decent!

For me I think I’d rather have a D+1 or 2 from Anaheim since the Ducks don’t have a 1st this year. I’d take Nathan Gaucher.

I’m lukewarm on Laughton. I like his compete and the respect he has but wants more than $3m.

I honestly expect Tanev to retire but if he’s healthy I put him in D3, PK and in closing minutes of each period to stop late goals and momentum shifts.

I would try and sign more UFAs.

You’re definitely right with Reilly so wouldn’t you go after either Andersson or Raddysh?

05 Apr 2026 17:05:48
For the 3RW I'd absolutely take a shot at Laine. He won't be over expensive and is still skilled out of the ass.

05 Apr 2026 17:58:08
April Fools was 4 days ago.

05 Apr 2026 18:48:13
Your defence isn’t good enough. What team does drafted stud play for? I tried looking up his stats but didn’t find any. Having a question mark in your weakest position poses the same problems we have. Offensive has never been a problem, so don’t touch it. Actually, let them form a team together and with a coach that makes sense

05 Apr 2026 18:59:10
@leafsgm you think as it stands the Leafs forward group is good? As for the player being drafted, there are 3-4 defenders who project to be top-4 NHL players, so you take the best one available.

I like Daxon Rudolph. You get Tanev back next year and put him with McCabe and get Carlo away from Reilly. I bet you see a big difference in play. Just my opinion.

05 Apr 2026 19:06:18
@Randy you want a D-man plus a 1st or 2nd for Nylander? Goal is to try and move JT to the wing.

I would bring back Laughton. If you want culture change, he's a type you want in the room: works hard, sticks up for his teammates and is willing to drag others into the fight. He never got a chance in Toronto because of the coach.

I have the Leafs walking away from both Maccelli and Robertson.

Maybe you can trade them for a pick, but I don’t think they are valuable players.

And lastly, for your free agent suggestions I wouldn’t target Raddysh. I think he’s gonna get overpaid or stay in Tampa, and it’s hard to look at a guy like that who's been in the league for years and expect him to turn in Makar and Anderson stinks. Vegas would tell you that Leafs need youth imo on the blueline.

05 Apr 2026 21:05:56
So this whole scenario depends on the Leafs getting a top 5. If not.... then what? As far as Reilly. It has to be a trade. No way are we doing a buyot and being on the hook for $3.5 for 4 years then another 4 years at $2.0. That is insanity. Plus why is it everyone assumes that San Jose and Anaheim are the trades to do for Nylander or Matthews.

Even at first I thought that. The California teams are teams most NHL players don't want to do to because of the Tax situation. Not to mention. The true assets they have that we want for either of our big assets.... they don't really want to part with.

06 Apr 2026 10:21:49
Goat, it may be your goal to move Tavares to the wing but I’m fine with him at C, his natural position. At 2C or 3C he’s still productive and his FO skill is excellent.

But in the trade you are referencing I don’t mention a 2nd.

In different years, Gaucher was #22, Mintyakov #10 and McTavish #3 plus two are centers so we are adding at C, a need for the team.

You’re undervaluing both Robertson and Maccelli IMO. Both will score around or close to 40 points on a non-playoff team so they still have decent value.

Surely you jest!

Certainly there are those who share your view on Raddysh. There are many late-bloomers in the NHL and in previous years he had little PP time given Hedman’s abilities. Two years ago Raddysh had 45 sec average on PP while this year almost 3 1/2 minutes.

So perhaps his offensive skill is real.

Your hope is to draft a D-stud, good luck with that approach. I’d rather see if a UFA deal can be reached that works for Raddysh and TML.

Just the way I’d go.

06 Apr 2026 13:25:11
What is it with everyone and giving up Nylander for McTavish??? This guy is going to be a 3c nothing better. If it isn’t one of Gauthier Carlsson or Sennecke coming back for Nylander I’m keeping him.

06 Apr 2026 18:21:15
Champ, it’s nice to dreamin technicolor, but you’re not going to get a player like that in return for Nylander, as established as he is.

He will be 30yo in May. The players you name are 22, 21 and 20.

McTavish is one of three players, and while he’s not elite he is still only 24.

Added to Mintyakov and Gaucher, it’s a good return and also helps change the culture and provides Cap room.

But you go ahead and keep him!