The Toronto Maple Leafs Need to Trade for an Elite Defenseman, Here's 10 Options

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to make a big change.

Oct 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) speaks with forward Auston Matthews in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Oct 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) speaks with forward Auston Matthews in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
5 of 5

Charlie McAvoy

Charlie McAvoy is likely not available, but would'nt the Bruins have at least a passing interest in uniting William Nylander and David Pastrnak?

Rasmus Dahlin

Not sure why he'd be available, but the Sabres have let Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart win Stanley Cups on other teams, so why not complete the trifecta and send Dahlin to Toronto? Those other trades didn't make any sense, so why should this one?

Tomas Harley

The Stars are looking to win the Stanely Cup. Would they at least consider adding Mitch Marner to the top of their lineup? Harley likely wouldn't be enough to get it done, but it could be the basis of a mutually benifical blockbuster.

Jake Sanderson

The Ottawa Senators have a nice core, but they could use an elite superstar like Marner to put them over the top. Would Sanderson be enought to get a trade like that done? I doubt it, but it's a start, and maybe the two teams could help each other address their various weaknesses.

Luke Hughes

The Devils aren't going to trade Luke Hughes, because they already have Jack Hughes and no one wants to split up the brothers. But then again, wouldn't Mitch Marner and Jack Hughes be an incredible combo? The Devils are really, really deep on the back-end and having a defensivly elite forward like Marner might just be what the doctor ordered.

Obviously, this and every name on this page is a pipe-dream, but you don't know if you don't try. The Leafs need to make a big change and they need a top defenseman if they want to win the Stanley Cup. They should be trying to trade for every big name defender in the league.

That said, they really need to focus their efforts on Moritz Seider, Zach Werenski and Noah Dobson, all of whom could reasonably be had....for the right price.

Schedule