Report: Maple Leafs in advanced trade talks

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't not done wheeling and dealing, as it's been reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that Leafs' GM John Chayka has been trying to flip forward Miles Wood.

Wood was acquired by the Leafs in a seven-piece blockbuster that also included Kirill Marchenko and Elvis Merzlikins heading to Toronto, and Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz, and a 2027 second-round pick, originally held by the Seattle Kraken, to Columbus.

I think they were trying to flip Miles Wood also that day. I think they were trying to work on trades to see if they could move him elsewhere. But, obviously that didn't happen, right now he's with the Marlies, and we might see him during the season. You never know in this league. You think somethings going to happen, then injury situations make it occur.

Chayka loves to trade and has shown very early on during his tenure in Toronto, he wants to totally change the landscape of the roster. Wood is now a trade asset, but with two more seasons on his deal at $2.5 million AAV, and a six-team no-trade clause, it won't necessarily be an easy move to pull off. 

The Leafs don't have a ton of trade assets, and Knies was certainly their best, so it's exciting for Leafs Nation to see Toronto land the best player in that trade, as Marchenko has looked nasty in blue and white. For now, trade talks have fizzled out, but as Chayka reminded everyone, the rumors never stop - and we're here for it!

Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast about the #Leafs in the Marchenko/Knies trade: “I think they were trying to flip Miles Wood also that day. I think they were trying to work on trades, to see if they could move him elsewhere, but obviously that didn’t happen [...]”… pic.twitter.com/NCNXbqaMzQ

— R i N K Y (@RinkyReport) October 1, 2026