The Toronto Maple Leafs may have strung together a three-game win streak heading into the Olympic break, but don’t let that fool you-the front office isn’t suddenly flipping into full-on buyer mode. With the March 6 trade deadline looming and the team still on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason picture, the expectation remains clear: Toronto is more likely to be a seller than a buyer.
That said, this won’t be a fire sale. The Leafs are expected to approach the deadline with a measured plan-one that balances short-term flexibility with long-term goals, namely building a roster that can seriously contend in 2026-27 and beyond. So while they may ship out a few pieces, the teardown isn’t expected to go particularly deep.
According to reports, the focus right now is on two pending unrestricted free agents: Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton. Both are veteran forwards in the final years of their current deals-McMann wrapping up a two-year, $2.7 million contract, and Laughton finishing a five-year, $15 million pact. McMann has put together a solid campaign with 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) in 56 games, while Laughton has chipped in 11 points (eight goals, three assists) over 39 appearances.
It’s no surprise that both are drawing interest. McMann’s production and physical style make him a natural depth add for playoff-bound teams, and Laughton brings versatility, leadership, and a strong two-way game-qualities that tend to be in high demand this time of year.
Still, don’t expect general manager Brad Treliving to go wild. The word around the league is that Toronto will listen on other players, but there’s no indication they’re looking to overhaul the roster just yet.
That said, there are a few more names worth keeping an eye on.
Calle Jarnkrok and Troy Stecher are both pending UFAs and could be moved if the right offers come in. Stecher, in particular, has been a stabilizing force on the back end since arriving via waivers, and while trading him is on the table, there’s also a case to be made for extending him given his recent impact.
Then there are the younger pieces-pending RFAs Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson. Both have shown flashes of upside and could attract interest from teams looking to invest in controllable talent. Whether Toronto is willing to part with either remains to be seen, but they’re the kind of players who could be part of a reshaped core down the line-or used to acquire pieces that fit that future vision.
Beyond that, a few players with term have started to surface in the rumor mill. Brandon Carlo, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Nicolas Roy have all been linked to the Edmonton Oilers in various reports. While nothing appears imminent, these are the types of moves that could be revisited if the Leafs decide to get more aggressive in reshaping the roster.
What’s off the table-at least for now-is anything involving a goaltender or Morgan Rielly. The Leafs aren’t expected to touch their crease at the deadline, and Rielly’s no-movement clause makes any in-season trade highly unlikely. Those kinds of bigger-picture decisions are more likely to come in the offseason, when the front office has a clearer view of the path forward.
Of course, that raises another question: Will Treliving still be the one making those calls?
If the Leafs fall short of the playoffs, it could trigger a broader shakeup at the top. But for now, the focus is on navigating the next few weeks with a steady hand-leveraging assets where it makes sense, staying open to opportunity, and keeping one eye firmly on the bigger picture.
Toronto isn’t blowing it up. But they’re not standing pat either. The next few weeks will be about threading the needle-moving the right pieces, not just any pieces, and setting the stage for a more competitive future.