Maple Leafs Eyeing Jordan Kyrou as Trade Deadline Approaches: A Perfect Fit or Complicated Gamble?
Just a week ago, it looked like the Toronto Maple Leafs were heading straight for seller territory at the trade deadline. A six-game skid had them reeling, and with the Eastern Conference playoff race tightening, it felt like the wheels were starting to come off.
But hockey seasons have a way of flipping the script fast. Three straight wins later, and suddenly, Toronto’s back in the mix-and back in the market.
Now, GM Brad Treliving finds himself in a tricky but familiar spot: walking the tightrope between building for the future and giving his current group a shot at a postseason run. That balancing act could mean buying and selling at the same time. And if that’s the case, then players like Jordan Kyrou-young, skilled, and under contract-fit the Leafs’ needs like a glove.
According to insider David Pagnotta, the Leafs are one of five teams with reported interest in Kyrou, alongside Seattle, Detroit, Montreal, and Utah. The 27-year-old winger is currently in year three of an eight-year, $65 million deal he signed with St.
Louis back in 2022. That contract includes a full no-movement clause, which means Kyrou holds the cards on any potential trade.
But there’s growing belief that he’d be open to a move under the right conditions.
So far this season, Kyrou has notched 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 46 games. That’s not far off his usual pace-he’s been a steady 70-point player over the last few years-and his offensive upside is exactly what Toronto could use in their top six.
Why Kyrou Makes Sense for the Leafs
Let’s be honest: the Maple Leafs aren’t as loaded as they once were. Mitch Marner’s move to Vegas and John Tavares hitting age 35 have shifted the offensive burden squarely onto Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
And while both are more than capable of carrying the load, they could use some help. That’s where Kyrou comes in.
He’s got the kind of speed and creativity that can tilt the ice, and he’s proven he can produce consistently. Slotting him alongside Matthews or Nylander would give Toronto another dynamic weapon-and potentially make their top six one of the most dangerous in the East again.
There’s also the hometown angle. Kyrou is a Toronto native, and while he’d need to waive his no-trade clause to make a move happen, there’s reason to believe he might be open to joining the Leafs. Pagnotta noted that Kyrou could be willing to accept a trade if the fit is right.
The Complications
Of course, this wouldn’t be a simple deal to pull off. For one, there’s the matter of how things ended between Kyrou and former Blues head coach Craig Berube.
While Berube is no longer behind the bench in St. Louis, any lingering tension could still play a role in how Kyrou views his future-or how the Blues evaluate his value.
Then there’s the price tag. Kyrou’s under contract through 2029-30, and at $8.125 million per year, he’s not a rental.
That long-term control makes him a valuable asset, and Blues GM Doug Armstrong won’t be in any rush to move him unless the return is significant. Toronto would likely need to part with a combination of young talent, picks, or both-something Treliving will have to weigh carefully as he maps out the team’s short- and long-term priorities.
Final Thoughts
Toronto’s recent surge has breathed new life into a season that was starting to slip away. And while it’s still unclear whether they’ll be full buyers, sellers, or something in between, the fact that they’re exploring a move for a player like Jordan Kyrou says a lot about how they view their window.
He’s not just a flashy name-he’s a legitimate top-six winger with years of control and the kind of offensive game that could thrive alongside Toronto’s core. If the Leafs want to make a serious push this spring-and keep one eye on the future-Kyrou might be exactly the kind of swing worth taking.
Now it’s up to Treliving to decide if the price is right, and if the timing is now.