Maple Leafs will be patient leading into 2026 trade deadline
The Toronto Maple Leafs are certainly a team to watch heading into the 2026 trade deadline, as general manager Brad Treliving has been very active in trade conversations over the past few weeks.
The Leafs are in the tough spot, on the outside looking in at the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, and now Treliving, along with ownership, has some decisions to make on exactly what kind of direction the team wants to head. Word is, they'll be as patient as can be leading up to Mar.6, as ownership wants to push for the playoffs, meanwhile, Treliving is more of a realist, as has come to realize that this roster may not be good enough, and it could be time to sell off his assets.
Of the Leafs trade candidates, expect to see Bobby McMann surely being moved before early March. The speedy winger is a 20-goal presence, he's physical, brings a ton of speed and versatility to play either wing, and he's only making $1.3 million against the cap this season. If Treliving doesn't get either a first rounder or top prospect for McMann, he's failed the organization.
After McMann, Scott Laughton and Nic Roy appear the most likely to go, along with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Carlo on the back end. Don't expect to see the Leafs move Morgan Reilly or a goaltender, as those conversations are expected to occur over the summer months.
Also don't expect to see Treliving give up on Easton Cowan or Nick Robertson, as both young forwards are expected to push for top-six spots next season, and despite some inconsistencies, have both been very solid for Toronto this season.
McMann's the most likely to go, Laughton and Roy are intriguing for playoff-bound teams, and OEL is someone that could be involved in a 'hockey trade' with a player with term left on their contract coming back the other way.
Treliving's going to be busy before the trade deadline, but don't expect to see any trades announced before the calendar turns to March, and the playoff picture is a little bit more clearer.
Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images
