Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Outlook: Who’s Staying, Who’s Going, and What Comes Next
With the NHL’s Olympic break in full swing, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a crossroads. The trade deadline looms, and the front office is juggling multiple priorities: recouping future assets, clearing contracts, and carving out roster space for next season. Whether they lean into a retool or flirt with a full-on tank-one that could ironically gift the Bruins a high pick-the decisions made in the coming weeks will shape the team’s direction well beyond this season.
Toronto also has three salary retention slots at their disposal-valuable tools for maximizing trade returns. Combine that with potential LTIR cap space if health assessments break their way, and GM Brad Treliving has some flexibility to work with. But the key question remains: who are the Leafs keeping, and who’s on the move?
Let’s start with the players who look like they’re staying put-for now.
Staying Put
Chris Tanev
Tanev’s current health situation makes any trade talk moot for the moment.
But even if he were fully healthy, the Leafs would be hard-pressed to move him without a massive return. He’s been one of the few stabilizing forces on the blue line when available, and unless someone comes in with an offer they can’t refuse, Tanev should be part of the short-term future.
Joseph Woll
This isn’t a rebuild-it’s a retool.
And moving Woll would scream rebuild. He’s been one of the more consistent netminders for Toronto, and with Stolarz and Hildeby not quite ready to carry the load on their own, Woll remains a key piece in the crease.
Dennis Hildeby
Hildeby’s development has been one of the bright spots this season.
He’s shown he can hang in the NHL, and with an eye toward next year’s tandem, it makes sense to keep him around. Unless someone bowls the Leafs over with a deal, Hildeby should stay.
Listen On Them
Jake McCabe
This hasn’t been McCabe’s best season, but he’s still a solid defender when paired with the right partner. He’s not untouchable, especially given his age, but unless the Leafs are getting calls they can’t ignore-or they’re unable to move other pieces-he’s someone who makes sense to keep around as part of a revamped blue line.
Anthony Stolarz
Stolarz’s trade value may hinge on how much teams value his body of work from last season rather than this one.
If the Leafs don’t get the right offer now, they could revisit it in the summer once the goalie market thins out. In the meantime, having three NHL-capable goalies isn’t the worst insurance policy, especially with Woll’s injury history.
Morgan Rielly
Rielly’s no-move clause means any trade starts with his approval.
But even if he were open to it, the Leafs shouldn’t move him just to shake things up. He’s still a capable player-just not one who should be logging top-pair minutes against elite competition.
If the return is right and the Leafs can better balance their blue line, then it’s worth exploring. Otherwise, a redefined role might be the better play.
Troy Stecher
Stecher has brought energy and effort since joining the Leafs, and if there’s a UFA worth bringing back, it’s probably him.
But if he’s looking for a multi-year deal or a cap hit that can’t be buried in the AHL, it might be time to move on. There should be interest around the league, especially from playoff teams looking for depth.
Brandon Carlo
This one’s been messy.
The return hasn’t matched the cost-especially if the Leafs end up handing Boston a top-10 pick. Carlo hasn’t provided what Toronto hoped for, and while parting ways might feel like the logical move, the Leafs may opt to give him another shot with a new partner or under a new coach.
Still, if someone’s willing to overpay, Treliving should listen.
Matt Benning
Benning’s not going to move the needle, but if the Leafs have a retention slot open and someone’s willing to toss in a mid-to-late round pick, they should pull the trigger. If not, he’s a serviceable depth option to eat minutes down the stretch.
Henry Thrun
Thrun hasn’t made a serious push for NHL time, and as a pending RFA, his future in Toronto is murky. He could get a look post-deadline if the Leafs move out some bodies, but at this point, he’s more likely to be part of an AHL-level swap than a deal that brings back meaningful assets.
Sell
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
OEL is the textbook example of “sell high.”
He’s logging big minutes and producing offensively-traits that contenders covet at the deadline. Toronto would be betting against themselves to assume he can replicate this next season, especially at age 34.
Right now, he’s worth a first-round pick. That’s not a return you pass up.
Simon Benoit
Benoit’s the kind of player the Leafs usually overpay to get in March.
This time, they have the chance to flip him for a third or fourth-rounder and open up a spot for one of their younger defensemen. That’s a win-win.
Philippe Myers
If there’s interest, the Leafs should move him. Simple as that.
The Rest
Players like Dakota Mermis, Marshall Rifai, William Villeneuve, and Topi Niemela fall into the “listen if someone’s interested” category. These are depth names who won’t fetch much unless another team’s scouting department is particularly high on them.
As for Noah Chadwick, Victor Johansson, and Ben Danford-those are prospects the Leafs should hold onto unless they’re part of a blockbuster. And let’s be honest, that kind of deal doesn’t seem to be in the cards this time around.
Final Thoughts
The Leafs have some tough choices ahead. This isn’t just about selling off pieces-it’s about setting the table for a retool that keeps the core competitive while building a more sustainable roster. Whether it’s maximizing returns on veterans like Ekman-Larsson or carving out minutes for young players like Hildeby and Thrun, the goal is clear: get younger, get cheaper, and get better.
The clock is ticking, and the Leafs have the tools to make meaningful moves. Now it's about execution.