Toronto Maple Leafs: This Is Not The Year to Trade Top Prospects

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The Toronto Maple Leafs were viewed as a preseason favorite for the Stanley Cup. Just past the quarter pole of the season, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who lists them as a top choice to win a title.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently holding a playoff spot, but have looked less than impressive in getting there.

The Leafs have not dominated many games, and they have had few awe-inspiring performances among their wins.

They rank near the bottom of the league in regulation wins and have relied on outstanding individual performances from their stars and the play of goaltender Joseph Woll for many of their victories.

A closer look at their current roster, along with a look into the future, shows this is not the year to trade away their top prospects or first-round picks.

Toronto Maple Leafs: This Is Not The Year To Trade Top Prospects

From the beginning of the year, the Leafs defense was considered their biggest weakness. The first twenty-plus games have only reinforced that point.

It makes sense then, that the Leafs should be looking at the trade market to improve their backend, yet trade deadline deals are always a gamble, and rarely do they land an X-factor that makes or breaks a team’s fortunes.

There are more teams that lose deadlines deals than win them.

Despite trading away many first-round picks over the years, the Leafs appear to have some top-level prospects that can supplement their star players in the not-too-distant future.

The Leafs look like they landed a gem with the second-round selection of Matthew Knies. He is accounting himself well through his first full NHL season.

Fellow second-round pick, Fraser Minten, played well during the Leafs preseason and earned himself a four-game taste of the NHL to start the year.

Last summer’s first-round pick, Easton Cowan, is tearing up the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights.

The play of both prospects has been noticed as evidenced by their recent invites to Team Canada’s 2024 World Junior Championship Selection Roster.

It would be in the Leafs best interest to wait it out and see what they have with these three enticing prospects.

Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Waiting Is The Best Option To Improve The Toronto Maple Leafs Defense

While it’s hard to ignore the temptation of trading away futures to enhance the Leafs roster around stars Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, now is not the time to do it.

The Leafs are unlikely to acquire a significant, minute-munching, top 4, physical defenseman. Other NHL teams that have such a player will not part with them without a significant return.

The Leafs have too many significant questions on their defense to risk trading away their top prospects. It’s too big of a gamble. They need more than one player to help their blue line.

For this season, it is in the Leafs best interests to be a periphery contender with their star forwards and shaky defense.

The Leafs will have a much greater ability to improve their roster, starting next year, but especially in two years, after John Tavares’ contract comes off the books.

The NHL salary cap is increasing which also benefits the Leafs. Should the Leafs sign Nylander to an extension, they still have options next summer to help the defense.

Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, John Klingberg and TJ Brodie are all unrestricted free agents next summer. Brodie is not likely to be back, and the Leafs can decide if Domi and Bertuzzi are a fit moving forward.

Should Nylander sign elsewhere, the Leafs will have the $10-11 million allotted for his salary to improve the roster. Plus, an extra $4 million will be available from the increased cap.

The Leafs would have options. Perhaps, multiple players could be signed on lower AAVs to help the defensive depth and a productive, bridge veteran to help offensively until the youngsters mature.

Resigning Nylander appears to be the option that both the team and player prefer, but it is not a doomsday scenario if Nylander moves on.

Tavares could also still play a significant role in the Leafs future. Let’s imagine him resigning with the Leafs once his current deal expires.

What If John Tavares Resigns With The Leafs?

Two years from now, it is reasonable to project the NHL salary cap to be around $95 million. That would be the projected number using a linear $4 million average annual increase.

Tavares seems a lot more likely to resign with the Leafs and stay close to home, than his former teammate, Ryan O’Reilly.

He has been a target of fans’ frustrations for his current $11 million AAV, but what if that AAV was cut in half over a shorter 2-3 year term to finish out his career?

During his twilight years, it’s realistic to expect continued offensive production since his numbers have been remarkably consistent for years.

Tavares would likely still be valuable on the power play since most of his offense comes from his work in tight spaces and not open ice.

He could fill the second-line centre or third-line centre role, depending on the development of Minten.

After Tavares’ current deal expires, the Leafs will gain money against the cap that can be used to address the defense.

Morgan Rielly would still be the anchor with help from Timothy Liljegren, plus a couple of free agents to round out the top 4.

The Leafs would have envious depth at centre with a combination of Matthews, Tavares, and Minten that would be flanked by wingers Marner, Nylander, Knies, and Cowan.

The potential ceiling of this forward depth is too enticing to pass on.

Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to be patient, wait to rebuild their defense, and see it through.

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