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The Toronto Maple Leafs must avoid replicating the mistake they made at last year’s trade deadline heading into this year’s frenzy.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are hurtling towards one of the trickiest trade deadlines in recent history. Yes, the consensus is that Toronto is going for it. But the issue this season lies in the tight cap space and the lack of assets to utilize.
But there’s one crucial mistake the Maple Leafs must avoid from last season. Last trade deadline, the need for a top-pairing defenseman was crucial. In particular, the need for a blueliner who could play with Morgan Rielly on the club’s top pairing.
One of the names floating around was current Winnipeg Jets and former Leaf Luke Schenn. The deal didn’t materialize, leading the Maple Leafs down a twisted path that led to the Boston Bruins and Brandon Carlo.
Now, GM Brad Treliving can’t solely take the blame for this trade. Treliving was under the gun to do something to improve the club amid Mitch Marner’s last playoff run in Toronto. But did Treliving ever overpay for Carlo.
The Maple Leafs sent prospect Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-rounder, and a 2025 fourth-rounder. Two-thirds of that trade has been resolved. Minten is well on his way to becoming a solid NHL center.
Meanwhile, the fourth-rounder turned into Czech prospect Vashek Blanar. Time will tell if this pick turns into anything.
The big question mark is that 2026 first-rounder. The Maple Leafs could have given up a potential impact player out of desperation for a solid defensive defenseman. That defenseman, unfortunately, has struggled to live up to expectations.
That’s why the Maple Leafs must avoid repeating the same mistake this trade deadline.
Maple Leafs Might Blow Lunch Money on Another Blueliner
This season, part of the chatter has focused on the Maple Leafs pursuing impending UFA Rasmus Andersson. As the talk goes, the Leafs tried to land Andersson last season but fell short.
That talk hasn’t gone away. If anything, the chatter remains a thing as other teams scramble to find alternatives. The purported bidding war on Andersson could drive up the price to the point where the Leafs could replicate the mistake they made with Carlo.
Now, it’s not that Carlo is a bad player. But the price they paid was far too high. And that’s where the issue with Andersson lies. Overpaying for Carlo could be a disaster in the making. The Maple Leafs have few assets to spare. That’s why Treliving must be more careful than ever.
Forget about Dangling Easton Cowan in front of Anyone
The Maple Leafs’ most tantalizing asset is Easton Cowan. Cowan is easily the Leafs’ most valuable trade chip this season. And he could be the main part of a trade for a solid player.
But that’s a temptation that the entire organization must resist. The Leafs can’t afford to let Cowan go. There is no other forward prospect on the team, at least at the moment, that’s ready to impact the NHL. Cowan could be one of the core pieces of a Maple Leafs roster turnover that could preclude a full-on rebuild.
In short, Cowan should be a no-go unless the Leafs are willing to turn a short-term gain for prolonged pain and misery.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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