The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down a harsh reality: this season hasn’t gone the way anyone in the organization hoped. Sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference and 22nd overall in the NHL, the Leafs are rapidly sliding out of playoff contention. And with the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline approaching, it looks like the front office is preparing to pivot from playoff push to asset acquisition.
According to reports, the Leafs have already started working the phones. With the Olympic break looming and the NHL’s roster freeze set to kick in midweek, Toronto has just two games left before the league hits pause from February 6 through 24.
Once play resumes, teams will have just two weeks to finalize any moves before the trade deadline hits. That gives general manager Brad Treliving a narrow window-and every reason to stay active.
Toronto Testing the Waters
Insider chatter suggests Toronto is already gauging the market. The conversations aren’t blockbuster-level-at least not yet-but they’ve begun.
The front office is reportedly asking other teams a simple but telling question: *What do you think of our roster? *
That kind of inquiry signals something important. It’s not just about tweaking the edges anymore. It’s about evaluating the core, figuring out what pieces still fit, and deciding how aggressive the team wants to be in reshaping the future.
While nothing earth-shattering is on the table just yet, the Leafs are clearly exploring options. And if they do commit to selling, the first names on the move will likely be their unrestricted free agents.
Who Could Be on the Move?
Let’s start with the more obvious trade chips. Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Calle Järnkrok, and Troy Stecher are all on expiring deals-and all could draw interest from contenders looking for depth. These are the types of players who often move at the deadline: affordable, experienced, and capable of plugging into a playoff lineup without much disruption.
But the Leafs' potential sell-off doesn’t stop there.
Veteran defensemen like Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Simon Benoit could be appealing to teams needing blue-line help. Brandon Carlo brings size and defensive reliability, while Anthony Stolarz could be a sneaky value add for a team looking to shore up its goaltending depth.
And if Toronto decides to go beyond a soft sell and start retooling in earnest? That’s when things get interesting.
Matias Maccelli, Max Domi, and Dakota Joshua are all players who could generate real interest. They’re younger, have upside, and could bring back meaningful assets.
One name that stands out in all of this: Morgan Rielly. Moving on from the longtime defenseman would be a major shakeup, but if there’s a way to make the money and timing work, it might be the kind of bold move that signals a true reset.
A Core to Build Around-But Change Is Inevitable
No matter how far the Leafs go in this process, one thing’s clear: the current version of this team isn’t getting it done. And with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies forming the foundation, there’s still a path forward-just not with the same supporting cast.
Whether the heavy lifting happens before the deadline or continues into the offseason, Toronto has to be strategic. One key priority: protecting their first-round pick, which is top-five protected. The last thing they want is to bottom out and hand a division rival like the Bruins a top-10 selection.
So, the Leafs are at a crossroads. The calls have started.
The decisions are coming. And while this season may have fallen short of expectations, how they handle the next few weeks could set the tone for what’s next in Toronto.