As the March 7th NHL trade deadline approaches teams are scrambling to get their roster and finances in order to make a big splash to help give their team the edge heading into the playoffs this April. Most of such teams are cup contenders, one of which being the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have time and time again had trouble in the playoffs having won just one singular playoff series since 2004 and having lost more game seven’s than I can count on my hands. That’s not a joke. Toronto should be more active than most, as they need desperately to get back in the April win column. With them being one of my favourite teams I figured now is as good of a time as ever to take a look and who they should and who I’d like them to acquire heading into this year’s trade deadline.
There have been several interesting names revolving around Toronto media as potential trade candidates. One of the most notable being Nashville’s Ryan O’Rielly. This wouldn’t be his first stint with the Leafs either as he was previously acquired by the club at the 2023 trade deadline. He was an absolute unit for the team in the playoffs scoring clutch goals and making his presence known on the defensive side as well. He also led the Blues to their Stanley Cup back in 2019 and has shown he can step to the plate on the biggest stages. Some of modern day Leafs fans best memories were him in the blue and white and it would be straight electricity to see him back in Toronto. He would also suit what Toronto needs as a dynamic third line center that can shuffle in and out of the top six while being a bona fide top six guy.
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Another name That intrigues me is Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins. with an expiring contract and Boston sitting below the playoff line they could be looking to move him. He would be an absolute dream acquisition as he’s a player that you hate to play against but would love for him to be on your team. After having torched the Maple Leafs for the better part of a decade it would be really nice to be on the other end of his Antics and I’m sure the players would agree. However I don’t see Boston parting ways with their winger anytime soon as he is the captain and he’s been a part of the roster since breaking into the league. Additionally he brings an element that suits the Maple Leafs identity playing a hard-nosed style with a scoring touch. Perfect right?
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Now this one might be a reach but how good would Miko Rantanen look in a Maple Leaf jersey. The Finish Winger has been among the league’s best since breaking in and is one of the top superstars in the NHL. However, I don’t see Carolina parting ways with him anytime soon as they did just trade for him and gave up one of their top young talents in Martin Necas. The only way I can see a deal getting done between the two clubs would be if Mitch Marner was involved and that could be a high risk high reward move for Toronto. Although it could help the Leafs as this core has proven to not be able to get it done come postseason. Moreover one of the stalling factors in the Marner contract for the Leafs is the salary. Rantanen has been said to be looking for upwards of 14 million per season which could come in at a higher cap hit than Marner on an extension. All in all a Rantanen trade wouldn’t make much sense for either club, but let me have my fun.
Next up Riley Smith would be a phenomenal depth piece for the Leafs. The former Golden Knight has won a championship and knows what it takes come playoffs and at this point that seems to be just what Toronto needs. Veterans that know how to win in the playoffs. The club already has so much talent that it would be unlikely for Smith to get a top six role however having a player like him to shift up and down the middle six would be a major asset for a team looking to finally get over the hump. He also brings speed that Toronto has been lacking over the past few seasons with the departures of some of their better skaters like Tyler Bertuzzi and Zach Hyman. Ultimately Toronto’s in a position where they have a good problem to deal with and only needing bottom six talent to bolster their roster.
Another sweet Center add for the Leafs would be Ryan O’Rielly’s former Blues teammate Braden Schenn. Schenn is a perfect number three center that on the Leafs would likely be seeing third line time. He brings grit, tenacity and a scoring touch to his game and like O’Reilly, he’s another player that has proven that he knows how to get it done in the playoffs having won the cup together in 2019 on the Blues. Also how epic would it be to have Brayden Schenn, brother of former Leaf Luke Schenn on the team over 10 years later. Similarly to Riley Smith his leadership qualities are intangibles in this league as he is the current captain of St Louis. The aging center is also extremely responsible defensively and would be a great addition for Toronto if general manager Brad tree living is willing to pull the trigger on a big trade.
The last player on this list is Brock Boeser. His name has been swirling around in trade rumors for Vancouver for what seems like years now and in recent days it’s been said that Toronto has interest and has kicked tires on what a potential trade for the winger would look like. Depending on the asking price from Vancouver this could be an interesting addition for Toronto as he could complete a second line alongside Tavares and one of Nylander or Marner. He brings a goal scoring touch that we’ve seen begin to fade from the aging Tavares and is a proven playoff performer. With the potential departure of Mitch Marner this coming summer, although he’s not a straight replacement, Boeser could help fill a hole in a worst case scenario.
Expect the Leafs to be busy on Deadline day as they have hot competition in the Atlantic with Florida just picking up Seth Jones the other day and Tampa on a heater. Toronto is going to need all the help they can get as they head into April where they will likely face the Lightning in round 1. Do you think this is the year that Toronto finally gets over the hump? Who do you think they should add at this year’s NHL trade deadline?