The Toronto Maple Leafs will be pushing for a playoff spot this season after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign, and while they tried to be aggressive and make some additions this summer, they still need to upgrade their bottom-six forward group before they can be taken seriously.
They signed Jack Roslovic, Brandon Duhaime, Colton Sissons, and Teddy Blueger in free agency, while also adding Nick Paul in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. While Paul and Roslovic should be able to provide some offensive depth, the rest of their bottom-six forwards lack the offensive firepower to be a productive unit.
They could benefit from adding another forward, once they finally find a way to trade defenseman Morgan Rielly and clear some cap space, and it wouldn’t hurt to find someone who could play the role of a middle-six forward, preferably a center.
Calgary Flames’ Morgan Frost seems like a good fit. He is cost-effective, can provide some offensive production, and has a solid defensive game that makes him a trustworthy option up the middle. Adding Frost gives the Maple Leafs some flexibility to either have Frost on their third line or John Tavares in that role if the veteran slows down in any way.
Morgan Frost, Calgary Flames (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
Frost, who is 27 years old, scored 22 goals and added 21 assists for 43 points through 82 games last season. Throughout his career, he has scored 75 goals and added 115 assists for 190 points through 392 games split between the Flames and Philadelphia Flyers.
Frost has one year remaining on a contract with a $4,375,000 cap hit.
In this article, we take a look at a hypothetical deal sending Frost to the Maple Leafs. Keep in mind, no reports indicate the Maple Leafs and Flames have discussed any trades, nor is there any indication that Frost wants to play anywhere else right now. This is purely a hypothetical idea that would be contingent on trade protection for Frost not blocking a deal.
Maple Leafs Land Frost, Flames Land Prospect & Pick
Adding Frost gives the Maple Leafs some much-needed depth up the middle for their bottom-six forward group, and provides them with flexibility to make some changes with their lines as the season moves along. There are a lot of question marks in their lineup, like can Gavin McKenna translate to the NHL? Can Tavares stay at a solid level of production? Can Roslovic stay consistent?
If any of their players happen to slip and they need to rely on their depth, they don’t have the firepower to move anyone from their bottom six up to their top six that they can trust to take on that role, and that’s where Frost comes in.
The Flames would likely be looking for a second-round pick and a player back. Considering they are in a rebuild, they would like to add draft capital and young organzational depth as they build for the future.
After reaching out to a few colleagues here at The Hockey Writers and considering a few options, this is the suggested deal that was landed on:
Maple Leafs Receive:Â C Morgan Frost
Flames Receive:Â C/LW Bo Groulx, 2029 second-round pick
The Flames add a solid depth forward in Groulx, who could break through and give them some decent offensive production, and since he likely doesn’t have a spot in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, he becomes expendable for them, while they also land a future second-round pick.
The Maple Leafs add a solid center and solidify their forward depth, adding to their case of trying to be a true contender this season.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.
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