Oilers and Maple Leafs Trade Talks Heating Up Ahead of Deadline
With the NHL trade freeze now in the rearview and the deadline looming, the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly been in contact - and it’s not just idle chatter. According to multiple league sources, the two Canadian clubs have had discussions about potential moves, and while the specifics remain under wraps, there are a few intriguing names being floated behind the scenes.
Let’s break down what we’re hearing - and what it could mean for both teams as they gear up for the playoff push.
Oilers Looking to Bolster Depth - But the Cap is a Puzzle
The Oilers are clearly in the market for a third-line winger, and the profile they’re after is pretty specific: size, speed, and a manageable cap hit. That’s not exactly a long list in today’s NHL, especially for a team like Edmonton that’s already navigating a tight salary cap situation.
One name that’s popped up in the rumor mill is Bobby McMann. The Alberta native checks a lot of boxes - he’s big, he can skate, and his $1.35 million cap hit is attractive.
But despite the buzz, sources indicate McMann hasn’t been a focal point of the Oilers-Leafs talks. That said, with multiple teams circling for depth forwards, the price to land McMann could be steeper than expected.
Could Nic Roy or Ekman-Larsson Be in Play?
Instead, the Oilers may be kicking the tires on other options. Nic Roy, a versatile center with a $3 million cap hit, has been mentioned as a possible fit.
He brings a solid two-way game and could slot into Edmonton’s bottom six with ease. But again, cap space is the elephant in the room.
Then there’s veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The 34-year-old has two more years left on his deal at $3.5 million, and while he’s not the top-pairing force he once was, he’s still capable of logging meaningful minutes - especially in a playoff environment. For the Oilers, adding a player like Ekman-Larsson would only make sense if they can offload some salary, and that brings us to Andrew Mangiapane.
Mangiapane’s Contract a Hurdle
Mangiapane carries a $3.6 million cap hit through next season, and Edmonton is actively looking for a way to move that number. The issue?
It’s probably going to take a sweetener - maybe a pick or a prospect - to convince another team to take on that deal. And with Adam Henrique and his $3 million cap hit returning to the lineup soon, the Oilers’ cap crunch is only going to get tighter.
So, could a Roy-for-Mangiapane swap, with a sweetener from Edmonton, be a path forward? It’s not out of the question, especially if the Oilers are serious about adding depth without blowing up their core.
Leafs Playing It Smart
From Toronto’s side, they’re in a position to listen. They’ve got depth pieces that other teams want, and while they’re not in a full-blown seller’s stance, they’re certainly open to retooling on the fly. If a player like McMann can net them a premium return - say, a first-round pick - it’s something they’ll have to consider.
As always around this time of year, what’s being said publicly is only part of the story. The Oilers and Leafs have had conversations, and while nothing’s imminent, the groundwork may be in place for something bigger as we inch closer to the deadline.
Keep an eye on these two teams - they’re both in win-now mode, and that urgency could drive a deal sooner rather than later.