Maple Leafs Rumors: 4 Players Named as Top Trade Candidates

From all signs, the Toronto Maple Leafs roster is in for some upheaval this summer. Could one of the 'Core Four' be dealt? Maybe a big-time defenseman or two will be brought in? Who will tend goal?

So many questions, and with nearly all of the Leafs' group wondering what the future holds for them—save for a small handful of "untouchables"—Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff has listed the four most likely trade candidates. Let's have a look at that list.

Mitch Marner

No doubt that Marner's name will be the hottest on the rumor mill all summer around the NHL. With four 90-point seasons and a 1.11 points-per-game mark in his career, the playmaking forward will have countless suitors. We've already touched on two potential blockbuster ideas that were thrown around.

The big question, of course, is will he agree to waive his no-move clause? Some insiders are suggesting that he will. He's entering the final year of his $10.9 million AAV deal, and will be expecting a raise on his next contract.

Morgan Rielly

The veteran defenseman is the longest-serving member of the Leafs (and therefore, some would say, the longest-suffering). He can't be blamed for the team's repeated playoff failures, but something clearly needs to change on the blueline, and Rielly certainly has the most cache to bring back some good assets. Like Marner, he also has a full no-move clause, and can determine his own destiny. But unlike Marner, Rielly still has six more years to go on his reasonably-priced $7.5 million AAV contract.

Nick Robertson

The young sniper finally got a bit more time to show his stuff this season, though still wasn't a full-time contributor. Injuries, mainly, have limited his opportunities over the past few years since his debut in the 2020 playoffs. But the kid can shoot the puck, and this year had 14 goals in 56 games, in only 11:23 of ice time per night. His 14.6% shooting percentage is indicative of what he can do if given a chance. Still just 22, he's an RFA and is due a raise after finally establishing that he's a viable NHL player.

Timothy Liljegren

The 25-year-old provides a right-shot D that can move the puck, but he's also proven unable to step up when it counts, and often finds himself a healthy scratch at playoff time. He was in and out of the lineup this season, and found himself in the doghouse (both the coach's and fans') on numerous occasions. But he holds a +42 rating over his three full seasons, and still has the potential to be a solid top-six blueliner in the right situation. He, too, is an RFA.