Maple Leafs at a Crossroads: Trade Deadline Looms as Playoff Hopes Fade
After a gut-punch loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves eight points out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference - and the pressure is mounting. The mood around the team has taken a sharp dive, and head coach Craig Berube didn’t sugarcoat the situation postgame.
“Until we can start doing things right and keep the puck out of our net - that’s the goalies included - this is what you’re going to get,” Berube said. It’s a blunt assessment, but one that reflects the reality: Toronto isn’t just losing games, they’re losing ground fast in a playoff race that’s becoming harder to chase by the day.
This is a city that doesn’t do patience well, especially when it comes to hockey. And in a season where the margins are razor-thin, the Leafs have seen the little things add up to big problems.
A blown lead in Vegas here, a missed opportunity against Florida there - it’s not hard to look back and see the fork-in-the-road moments that could’ve changed the trajectory of this season. But at this point, looking back won’t help.
The question is what Toronto does next.
Deadline Decisions: Sell or Salvage?
With the trade deadline set for March 6, the Leafs are staring down a critical decision: do they stay the course and hope for a late-season surge, or do they shift into seller mode and start planning for the future?
According to MoneyPuck, the Leafs’ odds of making the playoffs sit at just 4.5%. That’s not the kind of number that inspires confidence - it’s the kind that sparks trade rumors and front-office soul-searching.
There’s been chatter about players like Bobby McMann and even Morgan Rielly, but one name that keeps surfacing is Oliver Ekman-Larsson. And here’s where things get interesting.
Ekman-Larsson has quietly been one of the Leafs’ most consistent performers this season. The 34-year-old blueliner has racked up 32 points in 54 games - tops among Toronto defensemen and fifth overall on the team.
He’s not just holding his own; he’s producing. Which is exactly why now might be the perfect time to move him.
Why Move Ekman-Larsson Now?
Let’s be clear - Ekman-Larsson isn’t the root of Toronto’s problems. He’s not the reason they’re struggling to hold leads or keep pucks out of their net. But he is a valuable asset, and in a market where contenders are always looking for veteran help on the blue line, his stock may never be higher.
He’s under contract through the 2027-28 season at a manageable $3.5 million cap hit, which makes him attractive to teams in win-now mode. And that’s the key: if the Leafs are going to move him, it has to be to a team that’s chasing a Cup, not one building for the future.
If Toronto can flip Ekman-Larsson for draft capital or a younger, cost-controlled asset, it could be a smart long-term play. And let’s face it - if the front office still believes there’s something to salvage this season, they’ll need to act quickly.
As Berube pointed out, “We look at scoring as everything, and it’s not. You’re not going to win in this league if you’re only focused on scoring; you need to play the whole rink.”
That’s a message that cuts to the heart of Toronto’s issues. The Leafs can score, sure - but the defensive lapses, the lack of structure in their own zone, and the inconsistent goaltending have all conspired to sink them in the standings.
Potential Return: Is Braden Schneider in Play?
On NHL Network, Elliotte Friedman floated an intriguing possibility: New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider. The 27-year-old is signed at $2.2 million AAV through next season and brings a physical, steady presence on the back end - exactly the kind of profile Toronto could use.
But here’s the catch: the Rangers are also sellers, with Artemi Panarin reportedly on the way out. That means Toronto would likely need to sweeten the pot to land Schneider, especially if New York sees him as part of their future retool.
Still, if the Leafs are serious about reshaping their roster, these are the kinds of conversations they need to be having. Trading Ekman-Larsson to a contender could net a better return, whether that’s a promising prospect, a useful roster player, or - perhaps most importantly - draft picks.
Rebuild or Retool?
There’s a growing sense among fans and analysts that Toronto may be heading toward a rebuild. If that’s the direction, then accumulating draft capital is the clearest path forward. But this isn’t just about one trade or one player - it’s about a broader strategy.
The Atlantic Division isn’t getting any easier. Detroit is surging.
Buffalo, despite its inconsistencies, is on the rise. These are young, hungry teams with momentum, and they’re not waiting around for the Leafs to figure things out.
That’s why every decision Toronto makes in the coming weeks matters. It’s not just about doing something - it’s about doing the right thing. Whether that means selling off veterans, shaking up the core, or doubling down on a playoff push, the front office can’t afford to miss.
The Leafs are at a crossroads. The clock is ticking. And whatever direction they choose, it’s going to shape the franchise for years to come.