The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down a harsh reality: the playoffs are slipping away, and the trade deadline is starting to loom large. After dropping their sixth straight game in a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, the Leafs now sit 10 points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The math might still say there’s a chance, but the eye test-and the standings-tell a different story. For the first time since 2016, it looks like Toronto could be on the outside looking in come playoff time.
That brings us to the deadline. According to reports, the Leafs are preparing to pivot into seller mode, with trade talks expected to ramp up soon.
Don’t expect fireworks before the Olympic roster freeze hits midweek, but once that passes, the rumor mill around Toronto’s roster is expected to heat up fast. And based on how this season has unfolded, it makes sense.
The team’s current trajectory isn’t cutting it, and a retool-maybe even a significant one-could be on the horizon.
The good news? Toronto has pieces that contenders will covet.
Start with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The veteran blueliner is having a bounce-back season, and if the Leafs decide to move him, he could easily command a first-round pick.
That’s the kind of return that can jumpstart a quick turnaround. Then there’s Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton-both forwards who bring grit, energy, and playoff-style depth without breaking the bank.
At just over a million dollars each, they’re exactly the kind of low-cost, high-impact rentals teams love to add for a postseason push.
Of course, not every move has worked out. The Brandon Carlo trade hasn’t delivered as hoped, but that doesn’t mean the Leafs can’t course-correct. A smart second deal could help recoup some of the value lost and shift momentum back in their favor.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Toronto has more assets it could move before the March 6 deadline, and if the front office plays it right, this could be less of a teardown and more of a reset. Whether it’s GM Brad Treliving steering the ship or someone else calling the shots, the next few weeks could be pivotal-not just for salvaging something from this season, but for setting the stage for a bounce-back campaign in 2026-27.
At this point, it’s not about whether the Leafs will be sellers. That part seems inevitable. The real question is: who’s first out the door, and what kind of return can Toronto bring back to reshape its future?
The clock’s ticking. The retool starts now.