The Maple Leafs already made one seismic move, but they may not be done.
On Monday evening, Toronto and Columbus pulled off a deal that sent Matthew Knies and other pieces to the Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko, a trade that landed with a thud across the league just as the NHL was finalizing rosters for the season. It was the kind of swap that changes the feel of a team in one shot.
And according to TSN’s Chris Johnston, Toronto still has enough to chase another headline-grabbing deal if it wants one.
Johnston said the Leafs believe they can keep dealing even after moving Knies, who they viewed as their best young trade chip. In his view, the organization still has futures it can use to get “help now” pieces, including the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round pick and some young prospects. He also said he expects Toronto to keep looking for upgrades early in the season.
That kind of flexibility gives GM John Chayka room to keep swinging. If he decides the roster needs another scoring piece or a better defensive answer, the assets appear to be there to make it happen. And if the Leafs end up putting their 2028 pick into play, that would signal they’re going all-in.
So who could be next?
If Toronto wants help in the middle-six scoring department, there are a few routes it could take. Washington has wingers who fit the bill, including Ethen Frank and Anthony Beauvillier. The Capitals could also move Aliaksei Protas, giving the Leafs a bigger power forward option at a steep cost.
Seattle is another possibility, with Jared McCann mentioned as a name Toronto could pursue. The Kraken’s position as a team in a bit of a weird situation in terms of competitiveness could make a deal more realistic if the return helps them both now and later.
There’s also the Los Angeles angle, where Alex Laferriere is one player Toronto could target. The Kings would need younger defensemen to help replace an aging blue line, which is why Ben Danford could be part of a package. A first-round pick and some NHL-ready prospects would also be in play, and if Laferriere is the target, Easton Cowan’s name could come up as well.
For now, the Leafs are still processing the fallout from the Knies-for-Marchenko swap. But if Johnston’s read is right, Toronto is already positioned for another big swing.
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Hiller pointed to turnovers in the defensive zone as one of the rougher signs of the evening, and it was clear the Leafs are still in that early-stage rhythm where timing and trust are a little off. He stressed that the team is working to build chemistry on and off the ice, and that some of the growing pains are part of the process as players settle into their roles. For a fan base watching every shift closely, the concern is less about one loss than about how long it takes for the group to start looking connected. [Read more 🡒]
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For Toronto, the broader market around the league is worth watching because it keeps moving pieces into play. Ryan OReilly is being floated as a possible trade candidate out of Nashville as he enters the final year of his contract without an extension expected, while Toronto has already shown a willingness to pay up when it wants a player badly, landing Marchenko from Columbus after offering Matthew Knies and other assets. Montreal reportedly balked at Columbuss ask for a more impactful piece, which helped clear the path for the Leafs to win the bidding. [Read more 🡒]