As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to climb their way back into the thick of the playoff race, the conversation around this team has shifted. Instead of talk about tearing it down or reshuffling the deck in the offseason, the focus now is on building momentum-and maybe even making a push. The core is clicking, the chemistry is showing, and with the trade deadline approaching, the front office has a real opportunity to add some key pieces for a deep postseason run.
Enter GM Brad Treliving, who just might have the perfect trade partner in his former club, the Calgary Flames. The Leafs need reinforcements, and Calgary has a few names that could fit the bill. Let’s take a closer look at three Flames players who could be difference-makers if they find their way to Toronto.
Rasmus Andersson - A Top-Pairing Fix
Let’s start on the blue line, where the Leafs have been hit hard-particularly with Chris Tanev likely out for the rest of the regular season. That leaves a noticeable hole on the right side, and Rasmus Andersson could be exactly the kind of plug-and-play solution Toronto needs.
Andersson has been in trade rumors for a while, but he’s still anchoring the Flames' defense-for now. He’s a legitimate top-pairing defenseman with a right-handed shot, and that alone makes him a valuable target.
But it’s his two-way game that makes him especially appealing. He’s already hit double digits in goals this season, marking the third time in four years he’s done so.
That kind of offensive production from the back end is something Toronto hasn’t consistently had since Morgan Rielly’s 10-goal campaign back in 2021-22.
But Andersson isn’t just a scoring threat. He’s also a high-end shot blocker and capable of logging heavy minutes against top competition.
In short, he’s the kind of defender who can stabilize a top-four unit and elevate a team’s playoff ceiling. If the Leafs are serious about contending, this is the type of move that could make a real impact.
Blake Coleman - Grit, Grind, and Playoff Pedigree
Every contender needs a guy like Blake Coleman when the playoffs roll around. He’s not flashy, but he’s relentless.
Coleman brings a hard-nosed, blue-collar style that wears opponents down over a seven-game series. He’s a forechecking machine, a penalty-kill asset, and a player who knows what it takes to win-it’s no coincidence he’s got two Stanley Cup rings from his days with the Lightning.
At 34, Coleman still has gas in the tank. Just two seasons ago, he put up a career-best 30 goals and 54 points in Calgary.
This year, he’s chipped in 13 goals and 21 points through 44 games-solid numbers on a Flames team that’s struggled to find consistency. He’s the kind of player who makes your team harder to play against, and that’s something Toronto could use more of, especially when the games get tighter and space becomes a premium.
The Flames may be hesitant to move him-they reportedly see him as part of their longer-term plans-but if Treliving can put together the right offer, there’s a chance Coleman could be pried loose. And if he is, he’d bring a playoff-tested edge to a Leafs lineup that’s looking to shed its postseason demons.
Nazem Kadri - A Familiar Face, A New Role
And then there’s Nazem Kadri. The idea of a reunion has been floated more than once over the past few years, but this time, it might actually make sense. Kadri’s time in Toronto ended with some playoff heartbreak, but since then, he’s proven he can be a key piece on a championship team-just ask the Colorado Avalanche, who leaned on him during their 2022 Cup run.
Since joining Calgary, Kadri has been a steady offensive contributor, though he hasn’t seen playoff action since that Cup-winning season. This year, he’s posted 32 points in 47 games-solid, if not spectacular. But what he could bring to the Leafs goes beyond the stat sheet.
Kadri would give Toronto a legitimate third-line center option behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares. That kind of depth down the middle is rare, and it could allow the Leafs to push someone like Nicolas Roy to the fourth line, creating a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Kadri also brings leadership, edge, and a bit of that playoff bite Toronto has sometimes lacked.
There’s also the Treliving connection-he was the one who signed Kadri to his current seven-year, $49 million deal. That familiarity could help smooth the path to a deal. And let’s be honest: seeing Kadri back in blue and white, with a shot at redemption, would be one of the more compelling storylines of the postseason.
Bottom Line
The Leafs are in a position to buy at the deadline, and with Calgary potentially open for business, the pieces are there for a mutually beneficial deal. Whether it’s a top-pairing defenseman like Andersson, a playoff warrior like Coleman, or a familiar face in Kadri who could round out the center depth, there are real opportunities to upgrade.
Treliving knows the Flames roster better than most. Now it's up to him to make the calls that could push this Leafs team from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.