Maple Leafs GM Opens Door To Another Blockbuster Trade
Asked by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox whether he’d be open to another blockbuster, Chayka answered with a one-word yes, and he didn’t indicate Toronto is shopping Cowan.
What Chayka Said About Cowan
Chayka said, “I don’t think any player is untradeable, but he’s a good player,” and he called Cowan everything you’d want in a Toronto Maple Leaf.
He told TSN it would be “tough to ever improve on a player like that,” and TSN’s Mark Masters wrote it doesn’t sound like Cowan would be part of a deal for a defenseman.
Is John Chayka open to making another big blockbuster move this offseason? "Yeah." https://t.co/xtfyBREZ4f
— David Alter (@davidalter) October 26, 2026
Cowan is 21, the 28th overall pick in 2023, and has six goals and 13 points in 14 games while playing on the top line (averaging 15:09), and the Leafs are 4-1-0 since he moved up.
He had 29 points in 66 games last season, and Friedman reported earlier this month that people around the organization don’t seem interested in trading him.
Friedman also said Toronto would only move a premium asset for a top-four defenseman who is a difference-maker.
Defense And The Cap
Chayka said a trade for a defenseman has been “discussed much” but that a transaction isn’t always the way to improve, noting the Leafs have seen internal improvement and that defense is a five-man structure.
He said the team will keep evaluating the market, and on the cap, he said he doesn’t think it will be a “gating item” in any deal, with Toronto holding about $2.4 million in space.
The Leafs are rolling, but John Chayka may not be done making moves. Toronto’s GM talks to @lukefoxjukebox about the possibility of another blockbuster trade, Gavin McKenna’s development, Easton Cowan’s emergence, Auston Matthews’ leadership and key injury updates. https://t.co/5w2tjygE0d
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 26, 2026
Chris Tanev is progressing nicely and was in a non-contact jersey at Monday’s practice, according to TSN, and top prospect Ben Danford is playing big minutes with the Marlies.
Chayka has made nine trades since taking the job and added 11 new players, and the Leafs are 7-4-2 with four straight wins.
