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![\"May](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/638032.webp.webp\" "\\"May")
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs trade deadline plan just got clearer after their most recent roster move.<\/p>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs have put defenseman Chris Tanev and forward Dakota Joshua on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), and sent down defenseman Dakota Mermis to the American Hockey League.<\/p>\n
Mermis, who cleared waivers yesterday, was assigned to the AHL Toronto Marlies by the Leafs, who also sent down defenseman Henry Thrun and recalled defenseman Marshall Rifai.<\/p>\n
As PuckPedia notes, the move puts the Leafs under the salary cap and gives them potentially up to $7M available for the NHL trade deadline.<\/p>\n
If things say put, Toronto could have at the least just over $2M freed up for the deadline, and could still move out some of their roster to bring in an asset through a trade.<\/p>\n
LTIR moves is a potential trade boost for the Leafs <\/p>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been given the space to potentially use towards adding at the NHL trade deadline, but would have to retain their salary cap situation until then.<\/p>\n
Tanev is unlikely to return this regular season as he awaits undergoing groin surgery<\/a> and Dakota Joshua remains out with a lacerated kidney.<\/p>\n The moves give the Leafs some flexibility cap wise, but to net a big fish, they’d have to still move somebody out, but have just enough to workshop a potential depth move if Toronto goes in that direction.<\/p>\n With defense appearing to be the main focus for the Leafs, there is one notable factor still left uncertain. William Nylander, currently on IR, would free up $11.5M additionally,<\/p>\n