The Maple Leafs don’t need a full reset on defense. They need a true difference-maker. And if the season tilts the right way, Roman Josi could be the name that changes everything on Toronto’s blue line.
The problem, as it has been all season, is obvious. Toronto’s defense has been a source of concern for a few different reasons: injuries have piled up, the group has looked older and slower at times, and faster opponents have been able to exploit that. The offense from the back end hasn’t helped much either, with only two defensive goals - none from Morgan Rielly or Darren Raddysh.
That has opened the door to trade speculation. Alexander Nikishin has come up.
Quinn Hughes has come up too. But any of those moves would cost a king’s ransom.
Josi, though, is the kind of player who could actually make the gamble worth it. The Predators captain has long been one of the most underrated and underappreciated defensemen in the league, even while often being overshadowed by other stars. And according to David Pagnotta, his situation in Nashville could eventually make him available.
“How this season plays out will dictate what they do with Ryan O'Reilly, with Ross Colton, with a couple of their blueliners”
At 36, Josi is still an elite offensive defenseman. He can control play, run a power play, and quarterback an attack at a level Toronto hasn’t had from the point in more than a decade.
His career line says plenty: 788 points in 1,039 games, including 290 on the power play. He’s also a Norris Trophy winner, with runner-up finishes in 2021-22 and 2023-24.
On the ice, he would fit in immediately. He’d step into Morgan Rielly’s role, could push Darren Raddysh into PP2 work, and would give Toronto a point threat that changes the shape of the whole attack. He’s also more than just offense, regularly piling up 100-plus blocks a season and holding up well defensively.
So what has to happen? Nashville has to keep sliding.
The Predators are 3-3-3, but they haven’t exactly been rolling. They’re near the bottom of the league in goals for, have won just once in their last five, and were hammered 6-0 by the Bruins.
If that keeps going, changes could follow, and Josi would be the kind of player to bring back the biggest return. Toronto should at least be in the conversation, as long as Easton Cowan isn’t part of the package. Ben Danford would be a harder pill to swallow, but it may be necessary to get a deal across the finish line.
There’s also a cleaner path if Nashville is willing to take Morgan Rielly back. That would ease the money side of the equation and clear the way for Josi without forcing Toronto into major lineup juggling.
Josi has been a name linked to Toronto for years, but he always felt out of reach. This time, the door is at least cracked open. The Leafs just need the Predators to keep spiraling.
In Other News...
Leafs Make A Surprising Lineup Call Against A Brutal Oilers Test
The Maple Leafs are leaning on a different look in goal for a tough date with the Oilers, with Anthony Stolarz getting the start as Toronto tries to steady itself against one of the leagues most dangerous attacks. Sergei Bobrovsky will serve as the backup, and the setup gives the Leafs a little more intrigue in a game where every lineup choice feels magnified.
On the blue line, Dakota Mermis is set for his season debut after being recalled from the Marlies, a move that reflects just how thin Toronto has become on defense. Chris Tanev, Nick Blankenburg and Marshall Rifai are all in the injury mix, so the Leafs are piecing together their back end while trying to survive a brutal test without much margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Face A Familiar Trade Dilemma On Defense
The Maple Leafs keep circling the same question on the blue line: whether a trade can shore up a defense that has left plenty of room for debate. One name that fits the conversation is Rasmus Ristolainen, the Philadelphia defenseman whose size and style have long made him a speculative target whenever Toronto starts looking for help on the back end.
Philadelphias angle is part of what makes the idea interesting, because the Flyers appear more open to players who can help them sooner rather than a package built around draft capital. Ristolainen is on injured reserve but is close to returning, and with no trade protection and free agency looming this summer, his situation gives Toronto another familiar deadline-style dilemma to weigh as it looks for defense without paying too steep a price. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Just Hit A Harsh Reality In Edvinsson Pursuit
The Maple Leafs have spent plenty of time looking for help on the blue line, and Simon Edvinsson has naturally surfaced as the kind of younger, high-upside defender that could fit the bill. Toronto has shown interest in the Detroit Red Wings defenseman, but as things stand, there are no current plans for a trade, according to David Pagnotta on Daily Faceoff Live.
For a team still trying to shore up its defense, that leaves the Leafs back in familiar territory, weighing options without much certainty of a payoff. Any serious pursuit would likely require meaningful young assets and draft capital, which is why the chatter around Edvinsson remains more theoretical than active for now. [Read more 🡒]