Here we are on January 24, 2025. That means today is 6 weeks away from the 2025 NHL trade deadline. Its about time we start talking about the additions the the Toronto Maple Leafs could make to improve this roster.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again in a familiar position as the NHL trade deadline approaches. They are poised for a playoff run. Yet, questions surround their roster construction. The Leafs presently lead the Atlantic Division with a 30-17-2 record. They have accumulated 62 points and are among the top teams in the league. Still, General Manager Brad Treliving needs to make some shrewd moves at the deadline. These moves should address any weaknesses. They should also bolster the team for a deep playoff push. With the deadline set for March 7th, 2025, this blog post will delve into the Leafs’ potential trade targets. It will consider their current roster strengths and weaknesses. It will look at their salary cap situation and potential trade assets.

Toronto Maple Leafs Roster Evaluation

Before diving into specific trade targets, it’s crucial to assess the Leafs’ current roster. They boast a potent offensive core led by stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. However, some areas could be improved.

Strengths

• Elite Offensive Firepower: The Leafs’ top-six forward group is among the best in the league. They consistently generate scoring chances and put up impressive numbers. Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are all having strong seasons, with Matthews and Nylander leading the team in goals.  
• Solid Goaltending: The projection for Woll’s 33 wins could go either way. He has been a solid presence in net for the Leafs.  
• Strong Defensive Core: The Leafs’ defense includes both puck-moving ability and defensive responsibility. Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev are leading the way.

Weaknesses

• Center Depth: Beyond Matthews and Tavares, the Leafs lack a bonafide top-six center. This season, Max Domi has been somewhat of a disappointment. He has only 3 goals and 14 assists, making a total of 17 points in 41 games. Fraser Minten has shown promise. However, he may not be ready for a full-time NHL role. David Kampf doesn’t provide enough offense to be considered for a top-six position. Pontus Holmberg has also struggled, with only 2 goals and 5 assists in 37 games.  
• Defensive Depth: While the top four is solid, the bottom pairing could be upgraded with a more reliable defensive presence. Recent losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks have exposed this weakness. Third-pair defencemen Conor Timmins and Simon Benoit struggle at times.  
• Physicality: The Leafs could benefit from adding some grit and toughness to their lineup, especially for the playoffs. This need has been evident in their recent losses, where they were outmuscled by more physical opponents.  
• Special Teams: The Leafs’ power play has been strong in the past. However, it has struggled at times this season. They struggled recently in their loss to the Canucks. They went 0-for-3 and generated only two shots on goal across all three power plays.

Potential Trade Targets

Based on the identified weaknesses, here are some potential trade targets for the Leafs, categorized by position:

Forwards

Player	Team	Position	Strengths	Why they fit the Leafs
Dylan Cozens	Buffalo Sabres	C	Two-way play, size, scoring ability, physicality	Cozens would provide the Leafs with a much-needed upgrade at third-line center. His two-way game and physical presence would be valuable in the playoffs. His offensive upside could add another dimension to the Leafs’ attack.
Mikael Granlund	San Jose Sharks	C/W	Skilled playmaker, playoff experience	Granlund could provide a boost to the Leafs’ bottom six or even play higher in the lineup if needed. His playmaking ability and experience would be valuable assets in the playoffs.
Ryan O’Reilly	Nashville Predators	C	Strong two-way play, leadership, playoff experience	O’Reilly is a proven winner with a Stanley Cup ring and Conn Smythe Trophy. His leadership and two-way play would be a perfect fit for the Leafs’ third line.
Nazem Kadri	Calgary Flames	C	Offensive skill, two-way ability, familiarity with Toronto	Kadri is a former Leaf who knows what it takes to play in the Toronto market. He would provide a significant upgrade at second-line center. This change might allow Tavares to move down to a more suitable third-line role.
Brock Nelson	New York Islanders	C	Scoring ability, size, playoff experience	Nelson is a consistent scorer who would add another offensive weapon to the Leafs’ lineup. His size and playoff experience would also be valuable assets.
Yanni Gourde	Seattle Kraken	C	Two-way play, energy, Stanley Cup experience	Gourde is a versatile forward who can play center or wing. He would bring energy and grit to the Leafs’ lineup, along with valuable playoff experience.

Defencemen

Player	Team	Position	Strengths	Why they fit the Leafs
David Savard	Montreal Canadiens	D	Defensive responsibility, physicality, Stanley Cup experience	Savard is a stay-at-home defenceman who would add a physical presence to the Leafs’ blue line. His experience and defensive acumen would be valuable assets in the playoffs.
Luke Schenn	Nashville Predators	D	Physicality, toughness, playoff experience	Schenn is a hard-hitting defenceman who would bring a much-needed physical edge to the Leafs’ back end. His playoff experience would also be a valuable asset.
Scott Mayfield	New York Islanders	D	Size, physicality, right-handed shot	Mayfield is a big, physical defenceman who would provide stability and toughness to the Leafs’ third pairing. His right-handed shot would also add balance to the blue line.
Rasmus Andersson	Calgary Flames	D	Two-way play, puck-moving ability	Andersson is a young, mobile defenceman who would add another dimension to the Leafs’ blue line. His two-way play and puck-moving ability would be valuable assets in their system.

Salary Cap Situation and Trade Assets

The Leafs’ salary cap situation is a significant factor in any potential trade. They currently have a little over $2.1 million in salary cap space, but this doesn’t account for defenceman Jani Hakanpaa ($1.47 million) and Calle Jarnkrok ($2.1 million) on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). John Tavares is also battling injuries. There is the possibility of placing him on LTIR as well. This move would free up an additional $11 million in cap space. This could significantly impact the Leafs’ trade deadline strategy, allowing them to pursue higher-priced targets.  

Even without Tavares on LTIR, the Leafs are projected to have around $1.36 million in cap space at the deadline. Treliving will need to be creative in structuring deals. He might involve salary retention or a third team to facilitate a move.  

The Leafs are missing a 2025 first-round pick in their trade assets. They traded this pick in the deal that brought Jake McCabe to Toronto. However, they recently acquired a 2nd-round pick in the 2025 draft from the Florida Panthers. They also have some promising prospects, such as Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, who could be used as trade bait. Other players who could be used as trade chips include Nick Robertson and Conor Timmins. The Leafs also have some later-round picks that could be packaged in a deal.  

Potential Trade Partners

With the trade deadline approaching, several teams are likely to be sellers, providing the Leafs with potential trade partners. Some of the teams mentioned in the research as potential sellers include:

• Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks are in a rebuilding phase and could be looking to move veteran players for future assets.  
• Calgary Flames: The Flames had a strong start to the season. Recently, however, they have struggled. They could be open to selling if they fall out of playoff contention.  
• Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks are in the midst of a rebuild and are likely to be sellers at the deadline.  
• Nashville Predators: The Predators are another team that could be sellers if they don’t improve their position in the standings.  
• San Jose Sharks: The Sharks are near the bottom of the Pacific Division. They are likely to be sellers at the deadline.  
• Seattle Kraken: The Kraken have been a surprise team this season. They could still be open to selling if the right offer comes along.  
• St. Louis Blues: The Blues have struggled this season and could be looking to move some veteran players for future assets.  

These teams could be valuable trade partners for the Leafs. They provide options for the Leafs to address their needs at the deadline.

Past Trade Deadline Successes and Lessons Learned

Looking at past NHL trade deadlines, several teams have made successful roster additions that have contributed to Stanley Cup victories. The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Phil Kessel from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015. I know it wasn’t a Trade Deadline move. However, this acquisition was instrumental in their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017. The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow at the 2020 deadline. Both players played key roles in their consecutive Stanley Cup championships.  

These examples highlight the importance of acquiring players who fit the team’s needs and complement the existing core. The Leafs should aim to do the same. They should target players who can address their weaknesses. These players should contribute to a championship run. The Lightning’s success with Coleman and Goodrow shows the value of adding players with playoff experience. A strong two-way game is also important. These qualities should be prioritized by the Leafs at the deadline.

Conclusion

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong core and are legitimate contenders for the Stanley Cup. However, they need to address their weaknesses at the trade deadline. This could be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep playoff run. Based on the analysis presented, acquiring a center should be their top priority. Dylan Cozens represents an excellent option to fill the third-line center role, providing a blend of offense, defense, and physicality. If the Leafs are willing to make a bigger splash, they could target Nazem Kadri. He would bolster their top-six.

If cap space allows, the Leafs should also look to add a defenceman to solidify their bottom pairing. David Savard or Luke Schenn would provide valuable experience and a physical presence.

Reuniting with Luke Schenn (for a third time) and Ryan O’Reilly sounds like a great move. It would be beneficial with this current Maple Leafs lineup, if it is possible.

Their salary cap situation and lack of a first-round pick may present challenges. However, Treliving has shown a willingness to be creative in making deals. With the right moves, the Leafs can solidify their roster and make a serious run for the championship.