The Toronto Maple Leafs are widely viewed as sellers if they can’t climb back into playoff contention. Currently sitting low in the Atlantic with slim odds of getting in, focusing on pending UFAs, depth pieces, and potentially bigger moves might be their plan over the next two weeks to two months.
Among the biggest names who could be on the move is Morgan Rielly, but one has to imagine that’s a summer deal. There are plenty of other names that have been surfacing in speculative reports, including Bobby McMann, Simon Benoit, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Nicolas Roy, and Calle Jarnkrok.
Of all the rumors floating around, which are somewhat realistic?
Bobby McMann to Colorado Avalanche
Mentioned in a recent article for The Athletic, one scribe reported that the Colorado Avalanche could be a good fit for Bobby McMannn.This one doesn’t seem like a big stretch, and it could happen.
A pending UFA and strong secondary scorer, McMann has chemistry with top lines and the ability to play lower in the lineup and still be effective. There is no progress on an extension in Toronto, so it seems reasonable to assume he’ll be moved. Toronto would receive a 2026 2nd-round pick and a 2027 2nd-round pick (or similar package).
McMann is unlikely to fetch a 1st, but two seconds make sense for a hot UFA forward. Avs need scoring depth; this gives Toronto picks for a retool without losing core pieces.
Simon Benoit to Oilers (or Canadiens)
The Oilers might be looking to make a slight upgrade on their blue line, especially if the return of Paul Coffey doesn’t immediately move the needle. Someone like Simon Benoit could be an interesting target for Edmonton.
Toronto sends Simon Benoit (reliable, physical depth defenseman) and receives a 2026 3rd-round pick or prospect.
The Canadiens could also use some help and might be willing to make a similar offer. I wrote in a post earlier this week: “Trade chatter surrounding defenseman Simon Benoit is starting to intensify. The 27-year-old left-shot defenseman isn’t the most gifted offensively, but he has quietly climbed the radar of multiple contending teams, thanks to a combination of size, physicality, and playoff experience.”
Oliver Ekman-Larsson + Nicolas Roy Package to the Oilers
If the Oilers and Maple Leafs wanted to step up talks and make a bigger deal, there’s potential there too.
Toronto would send Oliver Ekman-Larsson (veteran D, strong season) and Nicolas Roy (stand-up bottom-six center, faceoff winner) to Edmonton for Andrew Mangiapane (struggling but cheaper cap hit) and a prospect and picks. Edmonton has to clear cap space if they’re bringing contracts in. Toronto likely has to retain a little salary, too.
This deal helps Toronto shed salary on two veterans who are still under contract, something they might be open to doing if they lean more toward a rebuild/retool this summer.
Morgan Rielly Offseason Move
It’s a blockbuster if the Maple Leafs move Morgan Rielly over the next two weeks, and the winds aren’t really blowing that way. But an offseason move? Maybe.
If the Leafs can convince Rielly to accept a trade and get a fresh start somewhere, this would go a long ways toward the Leafs reimaging the way offense comes from the back end. Both David Pagnotta and Jeff Marek believe this is a conversation that could be had over the offseason, but it’s important to note that Rielly controls the situation here.
He holds a full no-move and is under contract for four additional seasons after this one.
Calle Jarnkrok/Scott Laughton to a Contender
The Maple Leafs will move depth pieces, most likely pending UFAs that aren’t going to have multiple teams lining up for them (which is why Bobby McMann got his own section). Think Calle Jarnkrok and Scott Laughton.
For example, a 2026 2nd-round pick and minor prospect for Laughton isn’t outrageous despite modest production. He’s got eight goals and three assists for 11 points, a plus/minus -1 rating, owns a 56.5% faceoff win rate, and averages 13:43 TOI (his lowest in years). He’s been stuck on the fourth line and the penalty kill. He’s underutilized compared to his Flyers days.
Meanwhile, Sportsnet writes that Jarnkrok “has little to no trade value, but there might be a team willing to acquire him to add some depth to their playoff roster.”
