The Toronto Maple Leafs may still be in the thick of the regular season grind, but behind the scenes, the front office seems to have its eyes firmly locked on the future. According to insider reports, even if the Leafs manage to pull off a win against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, it won’t change their course heading into the 2025-26 trade deadline. The message is clear: Toronto is preparing to sell.
That might come as a surprise to some, especially with the team still in the playoff hunt. But this is less about giving up and more about reshaping. The Leafs are looking at their roster with a long lens, and the moves they’re considering now could set the tone for what comes next.
Goaltending Logjam: Stolarz the Odd Man Out?
Let’s start in the crease, where the Maple Leafs are carrying three goaltenders - a luxury that’s quickly becoming a complication. With Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby in the mix, the most logical trade candidate is Anthony Stolarz.
Stolarz’s numbers this season haven’t done him any favors: a 6-7-1 record, 3.67 goals-against average, and a .876 save percentage. Those aren’t the kind of stats that inspire confidence, and they certainly don’t help his trade value.
Since signing his extension this past summer, Stolarz hasn’t looked like the same goalie. That dip in form has raised questions about whether the Leafs can move him without attaching a sweetener to cover his full salary.
Still, there’s a market for goaltending, especially as contenders look to shore up depth ahead of a playoff run. The Leafs could gamble by holding onto Stolarz a little longer in hopes he rebounds and boosts his value.
But that comes with risk. If his play continues to slide, moving him becomes even tougher.
And if Hildeby is close to NHL-ready - or if the team is truly committed to Woll as the future - then hanging onto Stolarz might be more of a hindrance than a help.
There’s also the matter of waivers. Placing Hildeby on waivers would almost certainly lead to another team scooping him up.
That’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re trying to build for the future. So unless the Leafs are ready to part with a promising young netminder or risk losing one for nothing, moving Stolarz makes the most sense - assuming the return is right.
As Nick Kypreos put it, the Leafs likely feel most comfortable moving Stolarz now. But they won’t do it just to clear a roster spot. The return has to make sense, and ideally, it helps the team in the long run.
Bobby McMann: Breakout Season, Big Decisions
Then there’s Bobby McMann - a player who’s not only having a breakout season but also drawing serious attention from around the league. With 17 goals and 13 assists through 54 games, McMann is on pace to crush his previous career highs. And the timing couldn’t be better - or worse, depending on your perspective - because he’s doing it in a contract year.
McMann’s production, combined with a modest $1.35 million cap hit, makes him one of the most attractive depth options available ahead of the deadline. He’s become a hot name in trade circles, with teams like the Oilers reportedly checking in on his availability.
The question for Toronto is whether to cash in now or ride it out. If the Leafs are serious about a quick retool, moving McMann could be a way to add future assets without completely punting on next season. There’s chatter that he could be looking for something in the neighborhood of $5 million per year on his next deal - a number that might not fit into Toronto’s cap structure.
If a team comes calling with a second-round pick and another piece, that could be enough to move the needle. But there’s also value in patience.
The market for affordable, productive wingers is tight, and McMann’s price could climb as the deadline draws nearer. That said, waiting too long carries its own risks - namely injury or a drop in production after the Olympic break.
It’s a delicate balance. McMann’s value is high right now, and contenders are always on the hunt for cost-effective scoring. All it takes is one aggressive offer to change the Leafs’ calculus.
What Comes Next?
The Maple Leafs aren’t blowing it up. This isn’t a full-scale teardown.
But they are being realistic about where they stand and what they need to do to stay competitive in the long term. Moving players like Stolarz and McMann isn’t about giving up - it’s about being smart, proactive, and building a team that can sustain success beyond just this season.
Brad Treliving and the Leafs’ front office have some big decisions to make in the coming days. And while the team might still be fighting for points on the ice, the real action could be happening behind closed doors - with the trade deadline looming and the future of the roster hanging in the balance.