The Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumor Mill

The Toronto Maple Leafs are heavily involved in trade rumors right now.

For Toronto Maple Leafs fans, that is nothing new. As the trade deadline approaches, the rumors will only increase. I thought I would share some of the rumors I have seen and give some feedback. Some rumors are plausible, while others seem a bit of a pipe dream, but nevertheless, we will look at them anyway.

Please remember that rumors are to be taken with a grain of salt.

There may be some truth to some of the rumors I am about to talk about, but until an actual trade happens, feel free to take these rumors however you like.

Trade rumors are fun to discuss and give fans something to think about.

Each of the rumors I am about to look at in this article comes from thefourthperiod.com, which has gotten a few trade rumors right in the past, so take that however you wish. Their credibility is not 100%, but neither are the trade rumors from the hockey insiders. It is all speculation and should be considered nothing else until an actual trade happens.

So, without further ado, here are some of the latest rumors surrounding the Leafs. I will admit that I agree with some of them, but we will need to wait and see what Leafs general manager Brad Treliving does. He does have some work to do to make the Leafs a Stanley Cup contender. As of right now, they are not.

David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok

David Pagnotta from thefourthperiod.com believes that David Kampf (who just returned from injury last night) and Calle Jarnkrok (recently added to the LTIR) will become cap casualties at the NHL trade deadline.

I would love to see Kampf traded. Re-signing him for four years at $2.4 million was a mistake by Leafs GM Brad Treliving. Finding a team that is willing to take Kampf would be a great way for Treliving to correct one of his mistakes.

As for Jarnkrok, I don't see the Leafs trading him away unless it is part of a trade package involving multiple players.

He holds too much value within the Leafs lineup. He can play almost anywhere up and down the lineup, and a team needs players like that.

Keeping a player like Jarnkrok at $2.1 million makes more sense than keeping Kampf at $2.4 million. (Salary cap information from capfriendly.com)

I don't have a problem with either of them getting traded, but I think Jarnkrok is harder to replace.

I would rate this rumor as highly probable, but we likely see only one of them get traded by the NHL trade deadline.

Here is a look at how each player has performed this season. Kampf has registered four goals and four assists for eight points in 46 games. Jarnkrok has registered ten goals and nine assists for 19 points in 46 games. (All stats are from hockey-reference.com)

Nicholas Robertson

The rumor surrounding Nicholas Robertson is that the Leafs are looking to trade him for immediate help before the NHL trade deadline. With the Leafs not wanting to trade Matthew Knies or prospects such as Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan, Robertson could become the odd man out. Most teams considered "sellers" at the deadline want draft picks and young players. It is what a GM needs for a rebuild.

Robertson is a 22-year-old winger with great speed. He has registered seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 32 games. However, it often appears that Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe does not favor Robertson as much as some think he should. Many fans believe Robertson should get more time playing in the top six. Those fans might be right, but if Keefe isn't going to do it, can the Leafs trade Robertson for something they need? The answer is probably yes.

I would hate to see the Leafs lose a young player who is still waivers exempt, but players are waiting behind Robertson for their shot at the NHL lineup. He has played 63 games over four seasons but still has not landed a permanent spot in the lineup under Sheldon Keefe. Treliving might as well follow through on this rumor and move Robertson for a player who fits a role the Leafs need.

I'm sure many teams are willing to take Robertson and give him the ice time he is not getting with the Leafs. Having him find success on another team would hurt a little, but it will depend on what the Leafs get in return for him. I can see this rumor coming true.

Scott Laughton

Rumor has it that the Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are interested in Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton.

To acquire Laughton, the apparent asking price is a first-round pick. The Leafs have their 2024 first-round pick, but will they use it on Laughton or try to package it with another player for a better return?

Laughton has seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points in 54 games this season. Last season, he finished with 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points. Laughton can play center or left wing, so it will make sense for the Leafs to acquire him if they do, in fact, trade David Kampf.

Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe could move Pontus Holmberg down to be the fourth-line center, and Laughton could take over as the third-line center. He has more size and scoring ability than Holmberg.

The Leafs would need to fit Laughton's $3 million salary cap into their system until it expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. Trading away Kampf and Robertson in other deals will free up enough space, depending on the returns in these trades. I don't see the Leafs having trouble making room for Laughton.

Although I think he could be a good fit for the Leafs, I don't think he is worth a first-round pick. So, this rumor could have some truth in it, as I'm sure the Leafs have shown interest in Laughton, I don't see them acquiring him for a first-round pick.