With the NHL trade freeze in full effect during the Winter Olympics, front offices across the league are temporarily grounded-but that doesn’t mean the rumor mill has taken a break. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs continue to position themselves as sellers ahead of the trade deadline, and while their overall strategy hasn’t shifted, there’s still room for creative moves. One of those could involve the Los Angeles Kings, who may be looking to shake things up-and winger Warren Foegele could be the key piece.
Kings Reportedly Shopping Foegele
According to reports, the Kings are still looking to shore up their center depth, even after adding Artemi Panarin. One name that’s surfaced as a potential trade chip: Warren Foegele. After being a healthy scratch recently, and with his production down, the Kings may be ready to move on.
Foegele had a breakout season last year, notching career highs with 24 goals and 46 points. But this season, the script has flipped.
He’s managed just six goals and eight points so far, and his ice time has dipped from over 16 minutes per game to under 15. That kind of trend usually sets off alarm bells-and in this case, it’s made him expendable.
The Kings are reportedly in the market for a center, and that’s where the Maple Leafs could come in.
Could Toronto Be a Fit?
Toronto has a few pieces that could interest Los Angeles, especially if the Kings are looking for help down the middle. One name that’s been floating around the rumor mill is Scott Laughton. The veteran center is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and while he’s been a steady presence for the Leafs-bringing energy, leadership, and penalty-kill value-Toronto might consider moving him if they’re unable to reach an extension.
Laughton’s value as a depth center who can kill penalties and play in tough minutes could fetch a decent return. If the Leafs were to flip him for Foegele, who’s signed through next season at $3.5 million, it would give them a controllable asset on the wing-someone who could step in immediately and contribute in a middle-six role.
Of course, if Laughton carries more value than Foegele alone, Toronto might look to squeeze additional assets-like a mid-tier prospect or a couple of draft picks-out of the deal.
Foegele as a McMann Replacement?
Another name to watch in all of this: Bobby McMann. The Leafs forward has drawn significant interest, and there’s talk he could command a first-round pick on the market. If Toronto decides to sell high on McMann, Foegele could slide into a similar role.
Both players are the same age, and while McMann has flashed upside this season, there are questions about whether he can sustain his current production. Foegele, on the other hand, has a longer track record. Even though this season’s numbers are underwhelming, he’s shown in the past that he can be a reliable secondary scorer-especially when playing with pace and confidence.
If Foegele can return to the 30-35 point range and flirt with 20 goals, that’s a solid return for a middle-six winger. And while McMann might have the edge in raw speed and shot volume from high-danger areas, Foegele brings more defensive reliability and penalty-kill versatility.
Under the Hood: Foegele’s Advanced Metrics
Dig a little deeper, and there’s reason to believe Foegele might just be a classic buy-low candidate.
Despite the dip in production, his underlying numbers suggest he’s still generating quality chances. At 5-on-5, Foegele holds a 52.94% expected goals for percentage, a 53.10% scoring chances for percentage, and a 56.77% high-danger chances for percentage. Those are strong indicators that he’s driving play in the right direction-he’s just not converting at the rate he did last season.
It’s also worth noting that his on-ice shooting percentage is sitting at just 5%. That’s well below league average and suggests some bad luck has played a role in his lack of production. If that number regresses to the mean, his point totals could bounce back in a hurry.
And while he doesn’t have McMann’s straight-line speed, Foegele is still a tough player to play against. He can forecheck, kill penalties, and win battles along the wall. Last season, he racked up 82 high-danger shots and 51 mid-range shots-proof that he knows how to get to the dirty areas.
A Veteran with Playoff Experience
Foegele also brings something else to the table: playoff experience. He was part of the Edmonton Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023-24, and that kind of experience could be invaluable for a Leafs team still trying to find its postseason identity. He’s been in the trenches-against teams like the Canucks and Stars-and knows what it takes to grind through a playoff series.
Final Thoughts
The idea of moving both Laughton and McMann isn’t ideal. They’ve both contributed and have been important to Toronto’s forward depth. But if the Leafs are looking to maximize value at the deadline, and if they’re unable to retain Laughton long-term, flipping him for a controllable asset like Foegele-and potentially more-makes sense.
If McMann’s value really is high enough to bring back a first-round pick, and Foegele can be acquired as a low-risk, bounce-back candidate, this could be the kind of strategic retooling that pays off down the line.
Foegele isn’t a flashy name, but he checks a lot of boxes: speed, versatility, defensive value, and a history of secondary scoring. For a Leafs team looking to reshape its roster on the fly, he might be exactly the kind of piece that fits.