Creating a Playoff Roster in 2 Toronto Maple Leafs Trades

We are now weeks away from the trade deadline and the Toronto Maple Leafs will be active in trade discussions.

The biggest holes on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster right now would be a third line center, and a number-one defenseman.

We have seen enough of Connor Timmins and Philippe Myers to know that their very low offensive skills do not make up for their complete lack of defensive awareness. Despite his horrendous numbers this season, Simon Benoit could fit as a seventh defenseman as long as the upgrades needed are completed.

Up front, we have seen Max Domi, Pontus Holmberg, David Kämpf and Fraser Minten spend time as the third line center and one thing is clear: if the Maple Leafs have any hope going deep into the playoffs none of these guys can be counted on in that role.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need a legitimate middle six center

Acquiring a third line center has to be arguably the most discussed topic on Maple Leafs websites, whether it be Yanni Gourde, Nazem Kadri, Ryan O'Reilly or the many other options out there. The name that seems to have received the most discussion is Nashville's O'Reilly who is in year two of a four year deal that carries a cap hit of $4.5 million.

The appealing part of acquiring the one-time Maple Leaf is that his contract is good enough you wouldn't have to go get any retention and could also relieve stress of feeling like the team has to extend John Tavares.

If Treliving can acquire O'Reilly, he could potentially solve a second need by acquiring the third pairing defenseman. There seems to be two extremes with the love to bring back Luke Schenn, either some think he is washed up, while others (myself particularily) think he would be a great third pairing defender. In the trade, Treliving solves two problems, O'Reilly solidifies a third line and can easily step up into the top six if Tavares or Matthews get injured, while Schenn would fit nicely on the third pair with Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

To Toronto: Ryan O'Reilly and Luke Schenn (50% retained)
To Nashville: David Kämpf, Nicholas Robertson, Dennis Hildeby and Fraser Minten

The biggest piece in the deal would be Fraser Minten who looks as though he could potentially be a solid third line center, but it also looks like this could be the ceiling on the former second round pick. Hildeby who has looked great in the American Hockey League finds a quicker full-time path the to NHL in Nashville as a future back-up to Juuse Saros and Robertson gets a fresh start. Kämpf is purely a throw in to relieve some cap stress as Pontus Holmberg can fill his role making a third of his contract.

Solidify the Top Four Defense

James Tanner has suggested several times that the Leafs should be trading for New York Islanders pending restricted free agent Noah Dobson and while I see differently on a lot of things than James, obtaining Dobson should become the number one priority of Treliving.

The trade had the Maple Leafs moving Max Domi, Bobby McMann, Easton Cowan and the 2026 first round pick for Dobson. I would make the argument to the Islanders management that McMann is of no help for a non playoff team as he becomes a unrestricted free agent after next season. My trade offer would be slightly different:

To Toronto: Noah Dobson (25% retained)
To New York: Easton Cowan, Max Domi, Connor Timmins, 2026 first round pick and rights to Miroslav Holinka.

Dobson is a top pairing defender who has averaged over 24-minutes a night in each of the last two seasons, while also registering 70-points in 2023-24. We've all seen what happens when the team gets a top end defenseman like Chris Tanev and how the game changes with him on the ice, it is time to pay whatever New York requires.

The retention is only for the remainder of the season as Dobson is due for a new contract, which takes priority before trying to extend Tavares.

The Islanders do get a bunch of spare parts in Domi and Timmins, however, both could potentially bounce back and be dealt later but gives the Maple Leafs some current cap relief.

The biggest assets of this trade is obtaining the first round pick and the reigning OHL MVP in Cowan and Holinka who is starting to make a name for himself. This is likely not enough for Dobson, but is in the ballpark of getting discussions going where Treliving should stop at nothing to acquire the former 12th overall pick.