NHL Analyst Floats Maple Leafs-Jets Trade Idea to Upgrade Toronto's Top Six

NHL Analyst Floats Maple Leafs-Jets Trade Idea to Upgrade Toronto’s Top Six originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue searching for a top-six winger after trading Mitch Marner to Vegas right before the start of free agency.

Considering that most top-tier free agents are already off the board, the clearest path for Toronto to land another productive winger is via trade, and one analyst sees an opportunity to fill Marner’s void with a veteran power forward from the Winnipeg Jets.

According to LeafsNation’s Jeremy Tingly, the Leafs should have at least four players on their trade radar, one of those being Jets’ Nino Niederreiter.

“With Nik Ehlers off to Carolina, the Jets would need a return of some help on the wing if Niederreiter was moved,” Jeremy Tingly wrote. “So perhaps Nick Robertson or Bobby McMann would be of interest.”

Tingly pitched Toronto acquiring Niederreiter as a low-risk option for general manager Brad Treliving, especially considering the 32-year-old winger has no trade protection and just two years left at $4 million per season.

“Niederreiter scored 17 goals last season, in a down year, and has the potential to bounce back in 2025-26,” Tingly added. “The 6-foot-2 winger had a solid playoffs for the Jets, and plays a heavy game, landing 151 hits last season, something (coach Craig) Berube would love to add more of.”

Niederreiter has appeared in 969 regular-season games and has vast playoff experience with 105 postseason contests under his belt.

Winnipeg Jets right wing Nino Niederreiter had 17 goals and 20 assists last season.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With just under $5 million in cap space, Toronto could fit Niederreiter’s contract without having to send more salary than he earns.

Any trade, however, would depend on Winnipeg’s interest in players such as those mentioned by Tingly — Robertson or McMann.

The Leafs already added Mattias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth during the early days of free agency, and he was immediately penciled in as a top-six wing following Marner’s exit.

General manager Brad Treliving, however, has said the Leafs still haven’t filled the hole left by Marner and are exploring the market for additions.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

NHL Analyst Floats Maple Leafs-Jets Trade Idea to Upgrade Toronto’s Top Six

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