One of the most bitter rivalries in the NHL is starting to look more like a perfect partnership. After the Red Wings swept the Maple Leafs on the season, there has become too much ground to make up, and they are functionally out of the race.

With that, the Maple Leafs are going to have to look to sell some assets, be it major or minor. They will no doubt have the intention of picking up future assets. Now, what team has a metric ton of futures that they would be willing to part with? That’s right, the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, has a plethora of options that might never break the Red Wings roster but would become the Maple Leafs most valuable prospect instantly. Is that dichotomy really funny? Yes, yes, it is.

Toronto currently has their hands full with late twenties to early thirties pieces that might be valued a touch too high. But be it Detroit’s huge cap space, flexible lineup, and crafty management, the Red Wings feel like the right team to take some of those pieces away from Toronto. So, with all that being said, let’s talk trades.

Honorable Mentions:

Here are some names that I think the other team could be interested in, but wouldn’t make a deal for. I’ll list them below, but I largely find a lot of these guys being either too redundant for the cost or out of place in the team’s current state. They would likely need some kind of other move to happen as a precursor, but I’ll lay them out nonetheless.

Red Wings Players:

Erik Gustafsson: As Erik Gustafsson tears up the AHL with Grand Rapids, it’s apparent he’s too good to be down there. I think Toronto needs a someone creative defenceman to run their power play. Morgan Rielly telegraphs what he’s going to do with his entire body. I think if Toronto finally ships out Rielly, Toronto might take on Erik Gustafsson. It would be for free at most, but still, someone I could see them gambling on.

Elmer Soderblom: Had it not been such a poor year offensively for Soderblom, I could see Toronto wanting him. His reach, speed, size, and hands are something that could be really interesting for Toronto to take on. I think they could use someone with his profile, and he would be a fan favourite, but as it stands, I don’t see a reason Detroit would move him. At the very least, there isn’t a logical package for it.

Maple Leafs Players:

Brandon Carlo: A year ago, I would’ve loved Carlo, but the decline has been really steep. It’s possible he’s just rotting next to Morgan Rielly, as many defencemen have over the years, but it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. Largely, Carlo is here because Toronto is going to want a return similar to what they gave up to save face, and that’s something that should never happen. Even when Toronto gave up the package they did, it was far too expensive.

Mock Trade 1:

Toronto Maple Leafs Receive: Carter Mazur, 2026 2nd round pick

Detroit Red Wings Receive: Simon Benoit

I put this one in a piece not too long ago. Simon Benoit really fits the profile of what Detroit wants. He’s a big body who is physical and plays both sides. He could form a really solid third pair next to Axel Sandin-Pellikka. He’s also very cheap and still on the right side of thirty. Detroit gets a season and a half of a cost-controlled, physical defenceman who gives Detroit the bite they need for the postseason and the presence they need alongside Sandin-Pellikka.

I know the Maple Leafs fans love this guy, and I get why. The fights and the hits are great to see. But truthfully, I think Leafs fans would like Mazur a lot more. Seeing as they love Scott Laughton, they’d love the high motor and offensive upside that Mazur brings. He isn’t likely to see much of a chance in Detroit in the future. Bear, Genborg, and Brandsegg-Nygård all have a similar profile with far more upside. Not to mention, the Maple Leafs add another early-round pick, which will go a long way for this franchise.

Mock Trade 2:

Toronto Maple Leafs Receive: 2026 2nd round pick

Detroit Red Wings Receive: Max Domi

I don’t think this is the most likely deal, but I could see why Detroit would like it. Max Domi plays the style that Yzerman loves with a bit of the extra bite this team needs down the lineup. I could see him fitting alongside any of the names in the bottom six, as well as being a candidate to rise up in case of an injury. Domi is also a playoff riser, scoring over a half point per game in the playoffs in his career. If there aren’t any big names on the board, I could see Detroit getting savvy with a move like this.

For Toronto, it’s simple: you remove a body from the lineup in place of a future asset. When healthy, Toronto has plenty of wingers who can play a gritty style. Domi is a good culture guy, but Toronto isn’t going to be in need of that, at least not this season.

Mock Trade 3:

Toronto Maple Leafs Receive: Amadeus Lombardi, Albert Johansson, 2026 3rd round pick, 2026 5th round pick* (conditionally, if Detroit reaches the conference finals, the pick graduates to a 2028 2nd)

Detroit Red Wings Receive: Jake McCabe

Look, McCabe is great, and Red Wings fans should be thrilled if they get him. He is the man who pushes Ben Chiarot down to the third pair and forms one of the steadiest left sides in the NHL. Currently, he is 32 and is signed through the 2029-30 season. While McCabe is a stellar defender, Detroit is one of the few teams that don’t need some form of compensation for taking on a contract that lasts too long. He makes the blue line very steady, very quickly.

Toronto gets two NHL-ready young players. Albert Johansson has given Detroit solid minutes and has shown flashes of decent offense. Toronto gets younger and cheaper. Toronto also gets local boy Amadeus Lombardi, one of the AHL’s most interesting talents. At just age 22, Lombardi has been fantastic at the AHL level for a while. He deserves a shot at the NHL, and I’ve written it before, but it’s unlikely to happen in Detroit given the trajectory of their current prospects. Toronto also adds some mediocre draft capital in the deal.

Bonus Big Time Mock Trade:

Toronto Maple Leafs Receive: Nate Danielson, Carter Bear, Mason Appleton, Anton Johansson, 2026 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick, 2028 3rd round pick

Detroit Red Wings Receive: William Nylander, Jake McCabe

How about that for a superstar trade? Look, Detroit needs to replace Patrick Kane at some point. Nylander is a dual-threat winger who can drive a line on his own, and alongside Marco Kasper or whoever else is at second-line center, could be a lethal top-six. Detroit gives up a slew of assets, but the understanding is you’re going to try making a run during the DeBrincat and Larkin window, and the cost of that is futures. Detroit also gets McCabe to sure up the defence. Detroit would have a top six with Raymond, Larkin, Nylander, Kane, Kasper, and DeBrincat, and a top four with Seider, Edvinsson, McCabe, and Sandin-Pellikka, with a Chiarot-led bottom pair. As much as I hate to give up futures, this is a cost I think I would be interested in.

Toronto gets a slew of assets. In the short term, Appleton brings pace and heart that Toronto could use at any point in their retool. Most importantly, they get Nate Danielson, who has serious upside with his speed and playmaking. Carter Bear is the kind of player championships are based around, with his grit and scoring talent. Toronto gets Anton Johansson this time, the big body right-shot defenceman who could control a top-four role at his best. They also add a slew of draft picks to help things get on the right track.

Wrapping Up:

The last one is mostly for fun. But I think there are genuinely some solid trade choices for these two teams. I know I’m selling out again, doing a trade piece for views, but hey, you’re here. If you have any thoughts, there is a comment box below, and I do reply to any and all comments you guys have.

More to Read:

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.