Maple Leafs & Wild Emerging as Trade Partners
Maple Leafs forwards Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann have both acknowledged the noise around their names, and the Wild's general manager Bill Guerin is clearly in the market for forward help as the Central Division race tightens.
Maple Leafs Wild trade partners for Scott Laughton
Laughton feels like the best fit if Minnesota wants a dependable middle of the lineup piece who can handle ugly minutes in the playoffs. He has 8 goals and 12 points in 43 games this season while being buried in a fourth-line role, but it certainly feels like he can bring a lot more, given the opportunity.
His value in the playoffs was seen in the 2019-20 season with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he recorded five goals, nine points, 50 hits, and averaged 15:22 ice time across 15 games.
Nothing but love for Scott Laughton back in Philly 🧡 pic.twitter.com/iARS6yVNCv
— NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2026
He also has no trade protection, is carrying a measly $1.5M cap hit, and with Toronto sitting outside the playoff picture in these reports, the idea of moving a pending UFA to get back future assets and players they can use now is very tempting.
The Wild have been hunting for help down the middle, and you know what you're getting with Laughton, even if the scoring line does not jump off the page.
Wild circling Bobby McMann as cap math gets tricky
McMann is the other name that really keeps popping because the contract and the production line up perfectly for a buyer.
He has 19 goals and 32 points in 60 games, brings blazing speed, and he is doing it on a bargain cap hit around the $1.3 million range, which is exactly the kind of number contenders chase in a tight cap market.
McMann's previous career highs were 20 goals and 34 points, so he's on track to smash those this season.
Minnesota is operating with little flexibility, so any McMann deal likely needs money going back or salary retention from Toronto, and that is where the price can climb.
Does the #LeafsForever Bobby McMann get a first rounder? https://t.co/T0LhU0r6Ko
— Austin Pavao (@austinpavao_) March 4, 2026
If the Maple Leafs retain, they can ask for better picks or a stronger prospect, and Minnesota does have interesting pieces like Ryan Hartman, who has 14 goals and 26 points in 54 games while carrying a $4 million cap hit, but with a 15-team no-trade clause.
Guerin has already shown he will swing big after landing Quinn Hughes, so it would not be shocking if he tries to find a creative multi-player path here.
The Maple Leafs need futures and controllable talent, and the Wild need playoff-ready forward depth right now with a 35-16-10 record, sitting right at the top of the league standings.
Whether it is Laughton as the reliable centre plug-in, or McMann as the speed and finish add, the framework is there for a deadline day phone call.
Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
