The Toronto Maple Leafs have already spent the offseason reshaping their roster, but there may still be one more move worth making if they want to change the look of this season in a meaningful way.
After adding Kirill Marchenko, Sergei Bobrovsky, Darren Raddysh, Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Nick Blankenburg, Miles Wood, and Zack MacEwen, the Leafs still appear to have a clear area that could use help: the left side of the blue line. That is why Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson stands out as a name Toronto should be watching closely.
Edvinsson has become one of the more intriguing trade candidates around the league. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported that the 23-year-old would rather be traded than re-sign in Detroit, which naturally puts a team like Toronto on alert. If the Leafs are serious about upgrading their defense, he is the kind of player they should at least explore.
The appeal is obvious. Edvinsson has already shown he can do a lot of damage in all three zones.
The 2021 sixth-overall pick put up nine goals, 25 points, 94 hits, 148 blocks, and a plus-12 rating in 72 games last season for Detroit. He also recorded seven goals, 31 points, 86 hits, 144 blocks, and a plus-12 rating in 78 games for the Red Wings during the 2024-25 season.
Those are the numbers of a defenseman who brings size, production, and real value at both ends of the ice.
There is also a fit issue that works in Toronto’s favor. The Maple Leafs are trying to balance the present with the future, and Edvinsson checks both boxes. He is a restricted free agent, so any team that lands him would need to get a new deal done, but that only adds to the appeal if Toronto believes his upside is still climbing.
If the Leafs did pull off a trade, Edvinsson would instantly change the feel of their top four. A pairing with a defensive defenseman like Chris Tanev would make sense, and he could also slide in alongside Darren Raddysh because of Raddysh’s steady all-around game.
The price would not be small. A player like Edvinsson would require a major trade package. But for a team that still looks like it could use one more jolt on the back end, he is the kind of swing that could be worth making.
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