Maple Leafs at the Crossroads: With the Deadline Looming, Toronto Faces a Franchise-Defining Choice
As the Olympic break hits pause on the NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a familiar, yet increasingly uncomfortable position: stuck in the middle. Just six points out of a Wild Card spot, the playoffs are still within reach - but so is the reality that this season hasn’t unfolded the way anyone in Toronto hoped.
The stars haven’t shined as brightly, the new additions haven’t sparked much, and the team has largely treaded water. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, the Leafs face a pivotal decision: push forward or reset?
This isn’t just about salvaging a season. It’s about deciding what kind of team the Maple Leafs want to be going forward - and whether this deadline becomes the first real step in reshaping the franchise’s future.
Where They Stand
Record: 27-21-9
Atlantic Division Rank: 6th
Deadline Cap Space: $5.08 million
Retention Slots: 0/3 used
Contracts: 46/50
Draft Capital:
- 2026: 3rd (TOR), 5th (TOR), 6th (SJS)
- 2027: 2nd (TOR), 4th (TOR), 5th (TOR), 6th (PHI, TOR), 7th (TOR)
Trade Deadline Status: Sellers
That cap space might look decent on paper, but the Leafs are light on assets and even lighter on draft picks. With just three selections in the upcoming draft, Toronto is staring down the possibility of tying its lowest draft class total in franchise history. That’s not the kind of stat you want to be repeating.
Their current trajectory suggests selling is the smart play. And while they don’t have a war chest of blue-chip trade pieces, there are still a few names that could draw interest - and maybe even help restock the cupboards.
Who’s on the Block?
Scott Laughton
A year ago, the Leafs paid a steep price to bring in Laughton - a prospect and a first-round pick.
Fast forward to now, and he hasn’t quite found his rhythm in Toronto. With just 11 points in 39 games this season (15 in 59 since arriving), and ice time dipping to a career-low 13:43 per game, his impact has been minimal.
Still, Laughton brings veteran experience, versatility, and special teams ability - traits that could appeal to a contender looking to solidify its bottom six. The return won’t match what Toronto gave up, but a Day Two draft pick isn’t out of the question.
Bobby McMann
Now here’s a player who’s quietly carved out a niche.
McMann has brought energy and edge to the Leafs’ middle six, leading all forwards in hits (126) and ranking sixth in scoring with 32 points. At 29, he’s having what might be a career year - and that gritty, north-south game could be exactly what another team needs heading into the postseason.
Toronto could potentially flip McMann for a roster player or a decent pick, especially if a team sees him as more than just a depth piece.
Matias Maccelli
Maccelli’s time in Toronto hasn’t exactly been electric.
After a rocky exit from Utah, he’s managed 24 points with a minus-12 rating in 46 games. He still has speed and playmaking upside - remember, this is a player who once posted 40 assists in a season - but right now, he projects more as a bottom-six winger.
For a team willing to gamble on potential, he could be a low-cost, high-upside add.
Nicolas Roy
Quietly effective, Roy has been one of the more reliable depth centers on the roster.
He’s not flashy, but he does the little things right - 20 points, a plus-two rating, and a solid 53.6% on faceoffs (577 draws taken). That kind of two-way reliability is always in demand come deadline time.
Steven Lorentz & Calle Järnkrok
Both could be useful fourth-line additions for teams looking to round out their forward group. Don’t expect a big return, but in the right package, they could help Toronto pick up some extra picks or create cap flexibility.
What Do the Leafs Need?
1. More Picks, More Prospects
This is the big one. With only three picks in the 2026 draft, the Leafs need to prioritize volume.
They’ve done well in recent years with limited selections - Matthew Knies in 2021 and Easton Cowan in 2023 are proof of that - but you can’t keep betting on hitting home runs with minimal swings. Moving out veterans like Laughton, Roy, and Maccelli could net two or three additional picks before the fifth round.
That’s the kind of return that gives your scouting department more chances to find the next Knies or Cowan.
2. A Real Difference-Maker (If They Buy)
Let’s be clear: Toronto shouldn’t be buyers unless they find a player who can walk into the top nine and make an impact right away. The big names - Nazem Kadri, Robert Thomas - are likely out of reach due to cost. And going after another veteran leader like Boone Jenner or Brayden Schenn risks repeating the Laughton mistake.
But there’s a middle ground. A smart, calculated swing at a “second-tier” difference-maker could be worth exploring.
Someone like Jonathan Marchessault, who’s still producing in Nashville, could be pried away for a modest return. Ryan O’Reilly is another name that might surface, though his brief stint in Toronto likely complicates that reunion.
If the Leafs want to aim a little younger, Vancouver’s Conor Garland or Jake DeBrusk could be options - especially with the Canucks clearly shifting into rebuild mode after trading Quinn Hughes. Either winger would bring a strong two-way game and a bit of scoring punch to a Leafs lineup that’s been missing consistent production beyond the top line.
Prospects like Miroslav Holinka or Nicholas Moldenhauer could be used to sweeten the deal - and for a team looking to retool quickly, that might be the right kind of package.
The Bottom Line
This deadline isn’t just about 2026. It’s about the next three to five years.
Toronto’s stars are still in their prime, and the window isn’t closed - but it’s no longer wide open either. The Leafs can’t afford to drift in the middle much longer.
Whether they sell off depth pieces to build for the future or find a way to land a legitimate top-nine contributor, the decisions made over the next few weeks will shape the direction of this franchise for years to come.
One thing is certain: treading water won’t cut it anymore. It’s time for Toronto to pick a lane - and commit to it.