The Toronto Maple Leafs have had the longest period as “buyers” among all Canadian teams—a statement that would have felt strange to make just ten years ago. However, the challenge hasn’t been making the playoffs with this core group; it’s been winning once they get there. This need for improvement is particularly evident this season. While their goaltending appears strong, their defensive play has been questionable, and until recently, depth scoring was a significant concern. Ideally, the Maple Leafs will significantly utilize their available assets to create the best possible roster and enhance their chances of advancing one, two, or even three or four rounds in the playoffs. This leads to who is available for trade if they want to capitalize on upgrading their roster, especially some prospects on the Toronto Marlies.
With players like Scott Laughton, Luke Schenn, Brayden Schenn, and Colton Parayko all possibilities the Maple Leafs could look at acquiring, they will cost a pretty penny. If they see this season as one to capitalize on, we could see a shift in the organization’s talent being moved for a significant push come March 7. Come next week’s 2025 Trade Deadline, here are some prospects from the Marlies that could be moved in any potential upcoming trades.
Fraser Minten, Center
Fraser Minten is a player who has seen time with the Marlies and Maple Leafs this season and has shown a lot of potential for what he can bring to the team if he remains on the roster. He has two goals and two assists for four points in 15 games with the Maple Leafs and five goals and five assists for ten points in 23 games with the Marlies, as he has been called up and sent down to the minor leagues when players like John Tavares were hurt. With the discussion of Max Domi and the bottom-six’s production, many names, like Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres and Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, have been connected to the Maple Leafs, linking not only picks but also prospects to any potential trade package in return for both players.
Trading Minten would be a significant change for the future, considering he is only 20 years old and in the first year of his entry-level contract (ELC). Moving a player with that level of success in juniors and that young, along with a pick, for a potential one-year rental screams Nick Foligno trade all over again. Not only has Minten’s name come up from insiders about being moved, but the Flyers have done their scouting on him and reportedly like what they see. Based on the direction their franchise is going with key young players like Matvei Michkov, Jett Luchanko and Denver Barkey, he could be an excellent fit for them down the road. The Maple Leafs have other center prospects to develop if they move Minten, like Cowen, Ty Voit, and Miroslav Holinka, but it would still be a massive hit to their prospect pool if he is moved.
Topi Niemela, Defenceman
Topi Niemelä has been considered one of Toronto’s top prospects for nearly five years, yet he has not played a single game in the NHL. Under general manager Brad Treliving, the team has focused on adding grit and size to the defence, making it difficult for the six-foot Niemelä to stand out. Additionally, his production with the Marlies has declined, and he hasn’t demonstrated significant improvement with or without the puck. With zero goals and 17 assists for 17 points in 44 games, he finished the 2023-24 season with eight goals and 31 assists for 39 points in 66 games, an impressive first entire season in the American Hockey League (AHL), but his production this season has diminished. Other prospects like Noah Chadwick and Victor Johansson are thriving in their respective leagues while being two to three years younger.
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A standout performance during a two-game series against the Montreal Canadiens in the preseason caught the attention of some scouts, which was promising. Although Niemelä may not possess explosive speed or excel in specific skills, he outmanoeuvres defenders through strong play-reading and the ability to clear the puck from the zone. At 22 years of age and in the final season of his ELC, the Maple Leafs might consider trading him before the deadline, even if he wouldn’t yield the same return as an impact player like Cowan, but help get a much-needed asset for a playoff push in return.
Dennis Hildeby, Goaltender
Goalies typically take longer to develop into full-time NHL players than defencemen and forwards. Dennis Hildeby is in his second year at the AHL level and has played six NHL games for the Maple Leafs this season. He is still developing and adjusting to the speed and shooting accuracy of the top players in the league. His goals-against average (GAA) in the AHL is 2.85, worse than the 2.41 average he achieved last season with the Marlies. As expected, his save percentage has also decreased, dropping from .913 last season to .895 this season. Hildeby is a formidable presence in the net and difficult to score against when he is square to shooters. He typically remains close to his posts, utilizing a lateral push, and he often plays deep in his net due to his size.
However, his read-and-react skills can occasionally be slightly off, which may cause him to mis-time his drop into the butterfly position, especially when the play moves quickly from east to west in front of him. Although he is a work in progress, he has the potential to be an NHL goaltender. He is being beaten out of the net by veteran Matt Murray and rookie Artur Ahktyamov. The Maple Leafs’ goalie situation is set with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz locked up with contracts until the 2026-27 season.
Hildeby will require more time for development and has a new contract coming up this offseason. He has been good in the AHL, but not good enough in the NHL. With the Maple Leafs all in to win, he is a valuable piece to move for a team that needs a younger goalie who can grow and play with the team constantly, instead of being moved up and down between the AHL and NHL. He is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) with his qualifying offer at $813,750.
The Maple Leafs are 36-20-2, with 72 points. They are first in the Atlantic Division, second in the Eastern Conference, and fifth in the league in points. Every season, a team will head into the trade deadline with positions that need to be fixed or upgraded, and that’s no different for the Maple Leafs. This season has been special under new head coach Craig Berube, and if they want to continue it and go on a deep playoff run, they will need to cough up some picks and prospects come March 7.
