Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nic Roy is expected to be dealt ahead of Friday’s trade deadline according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. As the team looks towards a potential retooling of the roster, the defensive pivot could be on the move while opening up a roster spot for one of their top prospects, Jacob Quillan.
Either way, the team should be selling wherever they can right now and with several interested parties, they can’t afford to sit on their hands when the potential to restock an entire draft cupboard awaits.
Nic Roy expected to be traded according to Darren Dreger
But of all the names who have been discussed, one who hasn’t got a ton of attention compared to others has been Nic Roy, the player acquired in the Mitch Marner blockbuster. He’s been tossed about here and there, but nothing concrete.
Though according to Darren Dreger — he’s more than likely gone.
Dreger, along with Ray Ferraro, were together on a livestream on Tuesday discussing potential trade scenarios when Dreger dropped the bombshell and noted that Nic Roy is not only garnering interest, but is more than likely headed out of town:
The belief as of Tuesday afternoon, for the Maple Leafs, is that Nic Roy will be traded before the NHL trade deadline on Friday.
It was a stunning bit of news that could seriously make a difference for both the team who brings him in — and for Toronto too.
Why a Nic Roy trade isn’t the craziest thing in the world
Roy, 28, has 20 points in 58 games (5 goals, 15 assists) but is offering elite face-off and defensive work and would fit well into any contender’s bottom-six.
A team like Dallas, Colorado, and Edmonton could all use a player like Roy for their playoff pushes, and all hold at least some type of value in terms of the draft. While they don’t hold 2026 first-rounders, they do have 2027’s as well as a couple 2026 seconds (at least with Dallas and Edmonton).
Bringing in a former Cup winner is crucial for any contender, and if the Maple Leafs want to sweeten the pot even more, they could retain on his salary and make him an even cheaper option.
But it also helps the Maple Leafs a couple of ways too. First, it would give the team the return assets from whoever acquires Roy, and could really set themselves up nicely going forward.
It’s time for the Maple Leafs to admit they need to make big changes, and bringing in Roy was a solid attempt at getting something for Marner, but he wasn’t the fix they needed and he might be a casualty because of it.
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Nic Roy expected to be traded before NHL deadline, per Darren Dreger
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