The Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Everyone Forgot to Analyze

The Toronto Maple Leafs were not active ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to make any major roster additions, but they did make a big move heading into the trade deadline, and they also made several minor transactions the day of.

Of course we all remember the deal that brought in Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell.

And the day of the trade deadline, the major news was when the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up an extra draft pick by retaining salary on Robin Lehner before flipping him on to another team.

There was also the acquisition of Denis Malgin, although that was hardly a blockbuster.

Finally, the Leafs made one small trade that almost no one paid attention to. To be honest, we probably wouldn’t have either, if not for the season coming to a grinding halt.

Toronto Maple Leafs Missed Trade

With the deadline winding down, the Leafs sent Jordan Schmaltz to the Islanders in exchange for Matt Letio.

The Leafs had previously picked up the ex-first rounder (2012) from the Blues last summer in exchange for Andreas Borgman. 

An ex-first rounder, whose former coach was now with the Leafs, who was right handed and had un-tapped offensive potential, it was thought at the time that Schmaltz might end up being a sneaky good signing.

It didn’t turn out that way, as Schmaltz was cut in training camp and never played for the Leafs.  He played 37 games with the Marlies, racking up 13 points.

His value to the organization was made clear when the Toronto Maple Leafs lost three of their six starting defensemen and he was not given an opportunity in the NHL.

So the Leafs sent him to the Islanders for Matt Lorito.

Lorito is from Oakville, and is a hometown player, but he’s not likely to make the Leafs either.  The 29 year old left winger played two career NHL games four seasons ago with the Red Wings.

He did get five points (no goals) in eight games with the Toronto Marlies before the season was canceled.

Still, he is not likely to be a player who the Toronto Maple Leafs end up ever using.  The most likely reason for acquiring him was that he was needed more on the Marlies than Schwartz was.

His contract expires after this season and it appears unlikely that the Toronto Maple Leafs will re-sign him.  Although, I guess you never know!