The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 season has reached an all-time low after going 0-5 on a crucial homestand. Their hopes of making the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are dwindling rather quickly. After losses to the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Buffalo Sabres, they have taken a significant tumble in the standings.
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Just before the homestand began, the Maple Leafs were within a point of the Sabres for a Wild Card spot. Now, they sit eight points behind the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. That gap makes their chances of making the playoffs this season increasingly difficult. With that reality starting to set in, it would be smart for Toronto to at least consider selling.
Math Isn’t the Maple Leafs’ Best Friend
If you look at the math, it is hard to see a clear path. Traditionally, it takes around 92 to 96 points to make the playoffs. Right now, the Maple Leafs are on pace for roughly 88 to 90 points. Teams ahead of them, including the Canadiens, Bruins, Sabres, and even the Florida Panthers, are tracking closer to the 100-point mark. That means Toronto would need to collect approximately 38 points in their final 29 games. A record around 17-8-4 would get them there. Realistically, that feels like a long shot. That is why the Maple Leafs would be wise to sell at the deadline and retool for next season rather than chase something that is slipping away.
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)
Ideally, they would follow a similar path to what the Bruins did last season. Sell off players to recoup future assets, reset expectations, and try to get back into the playoff picture as early as next year. Buying at the deadline in hopes of sneaking in, only to fall short, would not make much sense.
Potential Available Names
As many fellow writers have pointed out recently, the Maple Leafs do have several players who could be flipped. Bobby McMann is one of the most discussed names, with his name circulating in the rumour mill over the past few days. He has been linked to the Edmonton Oilers, with speculation that a deal could bring back Andrew Mangiapane and a first-round pick. There are also forwards like Scott Laughton, Calle Jarnkrok, Nicholas Robertson, and Matias Maccelli. Laughton, in particular, could fetch a first-round pick on his own, which would help replenish a draft cupboard that has been thinned out.
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Robertson is an interesting case. He could be used in a hockey trade for another forward in a similar situation. Or possibly packaged to land a bigger name if the opportunity presents itself, especially given how well he has played this season. On the blue line, a few names stand out as well. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is arguably one of Toronto’s biggest trade chips. He has been excellent for the Maple Leafs, and while it would be difficult to move on from him, he offers solid production with term at a manageable cap hit.
Beyond OEL, Brandon Carlo could draw interest from teams looking to add depth on defence. Simon Benoit and Troy Stecher are also names to watch, especially with Stecher rejuvenating his career since being claimed off waivers. Between the pipes, there has been some buzz around Anthony Stolarz, stemming from him being on Nick Kypreos’ latest trade board. He could appeal to teams looking to add a tandem goalie, especially with his new contract extension carrying a $3.75 million cap hit for four more seasons.
There is, of course, always the possibility of a bigger swing. Trading one of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, or Morgan Rielly would be difficult given their contract clauses, but it cannot be completely ruled out if the Maple Leafs decide on a full retool. Of the three, moving Rielly would make the most sense from a cap perspective, allowing Toronto to reshape the roster around Matthews and Nylander.
Maple Leafs Should Sell at the Deadline
It is safe to say there are players who could be made available. Whether Brad Treliving decides to sell, or is given the green light from ownership, is another story. At the very least, there is value in moving rental players they do not plan on re-signing.
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This team has shown flashes of how good it can be, but it has been the same cycle year after year for nearly a decade. Something has to give. A major shakeup feels inevitable, even if the biggest decisions wait until the summer. Before that happens, selling off assets to recoup draft capital, prospects, and possibly add middle-six forwards makes sense. One thing is clear. The fan base wants change, and it feels like management may be inching in that direction too.
If they do get the green light, the next few months could be very interesting. And if things break the right way, maybe this time next season the Maple Leafs are heading toward the deadline as buyers again, preparing for a return to the playoffs in 2027.
