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The Toronto Maple Leafs top 3 summer trade candidates offer value to teams looking for depth, but may not bring back much.
The expectation is that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be substantially reshaping their roster this offseason. That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see Toronto actively move players as soon as possible.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top three Maple Leafs trade candidates during the 2026 Offseason
Top 3 Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Candidates during 2026 SummerBrandon Carlo may be Maple Leafs best trade candidate
Of all the blueliners on the Maple Leafs’ roster, Brandon Carlo holds the most value. He’s a right-shot and can move the puck. His $3.485 million cap hit for one more season would certainly be appealing to teams looking for a depth blueline option.
While the Leafs won’t get nearly as much as they paid for him, he wouldn’t be the hardest to move. Carlo’s contract isn’t nearly as onerous as, say, Morgan Rielly’s. That’s why the 29-year-old could fetch some interesting post-free-agency. So, a late-summer trade might be on the horizon.
That said, the Maple Leafs could realistically expect a mid-round pick and potentially a middling prospect. Maybe something akin to a couple of mid-round picks might be the most the Leafs could hope for.
Max Domi
Max Domi has been another perennial Maple Leafs trade candidate. This summer, however, things could really pick up on that front. The Leafs need to clear cap space, and jettisoning Domi’s contract has been part of endless speculation.
However, Domi’s $3.75 million contract doesn’t weigh as heavily on the Maple Leafs cap structure, especially in light of the rising cap ceiling. But the fact that he’s put up 11 goals and 34 points in 72 games makes his cap hit a little too high for the Leafs’ liking.
The 31-year-old will still be one of the contracts Toronto would like to move out. His 13-team no-trade clause will get in the way. But it wouldn’t be surprising to hear the Leafs trying to move Domi’s contract this summer.
As for the return, a couple of late-round picks could be the most the Maple Leafs might hope for. The most valuable thing the Leafs could get in return is cap space.
Get more Maple Leafs on Heavy:
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Simon Benoit
Benoit is another blueliner who could get some attention this offseason. He’s a tough, rugged defenseman who can play a shutdown role. He won’t score a ton and doesn’t move the puck as well.
But at $1.35 million for one more season could seem appealing to other clubs looking for a solid third-pairing option. Plus, Benoit can play both sides. That’s a big plus for a club looking for depth.
It’s worth pointing out that the Maple Leafs don’t really have to trade Benoit. The return for the 27-year-old won’t be substantial. But moving him could come down to freeing up a roster spot for a younger player or a free-agent signing.
The Leafs might just hold onto Benoit and run out the clock on his deal, given his very cost-effective cap hit.
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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