Canadian teams are driving a lot of the NHL trade chatter right now, and the latest talk around Toronto, Edmonton, and Montreal all comes with a different kind of uncertainty.
In Toronto, the focus is Darren Raddysh and the long-term bet the Maple Leafs are making on him. The concern is simple enough: when a player breaks out later than expected, the league usually starts looking for the catch.
Teams adjust, the shine comes off, and the next step becomes the hard part. That’s why the question around Raddysh is whether he can keep building without hitting the kind of decline that has swallowed plenty of late-blooming defenders before him.
There’s reason for caution, but not necessarily for doom. Late bloomers often don’t become reliable overnight; they get there through confidence, usage, role, and experience all clicking at once.
Mark Giordano is the example in the source material, a player who won the Norris at 35 and later played for the Kraken and the Maple Leafs. “He was elite because he could be trusted with the toughest responsibilities of being a defenceman, even if he was never the flashiest player.
If Raddysh keeps making smart reads, cuts down the panic, and keeps the decision-making sharp, Toronto could end up with a steady blue-liner instead of a quick hype moment.
Edmonton’s goaltending picture is also getting a closer look, and Tristan Jarry is the name that keeps coming up first. Allan Mitchell sees him as the most likely starter for the Oilers in 2026-27.
He was supposed to be the answer, he was playing well before getting hurt, and the contract says starter. But that doesn’t mean the job is locked down.
The Oilers are going to want performance, not reputation, and if Jarry doesn’t convince them quickly, the leash may be short.
The coaching change matters here too. With Mike Babcock running the show, this does not sound like a setup where old expectations will carry much weight.
The source notes Babcock’s history with Frederik Andersen, and that could make him comfortable leaning that direction if Jarry needs time to find his game. Bowman has already said the Jarry trade did not go the way they wanted, and if another option appears, Edmonton is not expected to sit still.
Devon Levi is also part of the bigger picture, which keeps the competition from feeling settled at any point.
Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj is the other name lingering in the trade conversation, but the situation sounds more like a negotiation than a breakup. He remains unsigned with the Canadiens, and that has other general managers checking on the price.
David Pagnotta says several teams have inquired, but Montreal has not found an offer it considers worthwhile. More importantly, the Canadiens do not seem eager to move him.
Xhekaj, for his part, is not pushing for an exit. His agent says he loves Montreal, the fans, and the city, and the sides are trying to make it work.
The business side still matters, especially with both Xhekaj and Jayden Struble wanting bigger roles, so the talks are ongoing. The Flyers are among the teams still poking around, but unless Montreal decides it has to make a move, this one looks set to stay in limbo for now.
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It is the kind of broad roster makeover that can change the feel of a team quickly, especially for a club coming off a year that fell short of expectations. On paper, the mix gives Toronto more options up front, more stability on the back end and a new look in goal, which is enough to make the Leafs appear far more dangerous than they did a season ago, even if the real answer still has to wait for the games to start. [Read more 🡒]