Some weeks feel slow around this team. This is not one of those weeks. Even in the middle of the Olympic break, the Toronto Maple Leafs are being drawn into trade chatter, prospect buzz, and the usual last-minute deadline smoke that can turn into fire without warning. What’s interesting this time is how the stories overlap: a 29-year-old depth winger suddenly becomes a hot commodity, while two prospects — one in junior, one in college — are putting together standout seasons that help shape the bigger picture.
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It’s a strange mix of urgency and long-term thinking. On one hand, the front office knows they might need to make hard decisions before March 6. On the other hand, they’re watching young players take big steps in their development, which gives the team more options down the road. Because this is the Maple Leafs, none of it happens quietly. Everything, from trade targets to NCAA scoring lines, ends up under the microscope. With that, here are three storylines worth digging into right now.
Item One: Bobby McMann Is Suddenly in High Demand
Bobby McMann has gone from “possible depth move” to one of the more interesting deadline targets out there. The Los Angeles Kings are scrambling after losing Kevin Fiala, and McMann’s style fits them perfectly: heavy forecheck, north-south pace, middle-six strength, and enough scoring pop to keep opponents honest. At the same time, the Colorado Avalanche are circling. They love players who skate hard, finish checks, and come with small cap hits. Both teams basically fit McMann’s entire résumé.
The price is the part that makes everyone blink. Toronto has held firm on the idea of a first-round pick, and while that sounds steep for a pending unrestricted free agent, desperate teams in February don’t behave like normal teams in July. The Kings have an immediate need. Colorado has contender urgency, with general manager Chris MacFarland operating inside a tight cap and still looking to add.
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The Athletic’s James Mirtle has pointed out that the Avs might prefer a package of second-rounders. What complicates everything is the sense that this could easily turn into a multi-player deal if the right pieces line up. Toronto is open to moving on beyond just McMann, and both teams have reasons to explore something bigger.
Item Two: Miroslav Holinka’s Strong Play Puts Him on the Map
While the NHL roster grabs the headlines, Miroslav Holinka is quietly working his way up the prospect rankings. His latest performance — a goal and two assists in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Edmonton Oil Kings’ 4–3 win over the Calgary Hitmen — continued what’s becoming a very impressive February run. Six points in four games is the kind of heater you love to see from a young forward trying to make noise late in the season.
Holinka’s full-season totals are even better: 31 goals, 68 points, and a plus-28 rating in 46 games. He’s top-10 in WHL scoring and top-10 in goals, but more importantly, he looks like a player who’s rising at the right time. He’s driving play, he’s handling tougher matchups, and he’s making a case that he could be something more than just a depth prospect. The Maple Leafs don’t have a ton of high-end goal scorers in the pipeline, so a season like this matters.
Item Three: Nick Moldenhauer’s Breakout Season Keeps Building at Michigan
Over in the NCAA, Nick Moldenhauer continues to push his game forward. His two goals and an assist in the University of Michigan’s 6–3 win over Penn State mark another strong outing in what’s become his best college season by a wide margin. He’s playing with confidence, attacking with the puck, and showing he can drive offence rather than just complement it.
Moldenhauer has 12 goals and 25 points in 30 games, but the bigger development is his plus-22 rating. That’s a real sign his two-way game is coming along. His timeline still has some flexibility, with one more NCAA season available after this one, but he’s trending exactly the way the Maple Leafs hoped. He’s stronger, steadier, and more complete than he was even a year ago, and he’s becoming a prospect they’ll have to make decisions on sooner than later.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The deadline picture is shifting daily, and McMann’s rise into a coveted piece is a good example of how quickly things can move this time of year. The Maple Leafs could stand pat, but all signs point toward activity — maybe even more than expected. Whether it’s trading McMann, exploring a larger deal with a contender, or moving out smaller pieces to open flexibility, the front office seems ready to listen to just about anything.
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At the same time, weeks like this show why patience with the prospect pool matters. Holinka and Moldenhauer aren’t knocking on the NHL door tomorrow, but they’re trending upward in ways that give the organization options. Options, especially at this stage of the season, are exactly what the Maple Leafs need.
