There’s a bit of warmth creeping into the Toronto hockey scene - and no, we’re not talking about the weather. The Maple Leafs have strung together three straight wins, a rare spark in what's been a frustratingly uneven season.
In most years, that kind of streak wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows. But in this one?
It’s enough to at least make you glance at the standings twice.
Still, don’t expect the front office to be swayed by a short-term surge. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs aren’t planning to shift gears at the trade deadline just because of a three-game heater. And honestly, that’s the kind of level-headed thinking you want from a team trying to balance the now with the long-term.
Toronto’s front office has been eyeing the deadline with a seller’s mindset - and one brief hot streak doesn’t erase the bigger picture. The Leafs have been inconsistent, plagued by depth issues and injuries, and their place in the playoff race remains precarious. A few wins are nice, but they don’t rewrite the story of the season.
That said, things can change - and quickly. If the Leafs keep rolling into the Olympic break and come out of it with the same kind of energy, the pressure to reconsider might grow. Momentum is a powerful thing in hockey, especially when the locker room starts to believe it’s not too late.
But for now, the plan seems steady. Bobby McMann remains a name to watch.
The 27-year-old winger is on an expiring deal and carries a cap hit of just $1.35 million - a manageable number for contenders looking to bolster their bottom six. He’s been solid in limited minutes, and his physical style could make him an appealing depth piece for a playoff-bound team.
The Leafs also have some flexibility on the blue line. There are defensemen who could be moved if the right offer comes along, and veteran forward Calle Järnkrok has drawn some attention as well. He’s versatile, experienced, and another player who could help a contender looking to shore up its forward group.
Of course, no one’s expecting a blockbuster. Auston Matthews isn’t going anywhere.
This isn’t a teardown. It’s more about tweaking the roster, getting value where possible, and keeping an eye on the future without fully punting on the present.
The real intrigue now lies in what the team does on the ice. If the Leafs keep stacking wins, they might force the front office to rethink.
But that’s on the players. The message from management is clear: three wins don’t change the plan.
If they want to shift the narrative, they’ll need to keep proving it - night after night.