{"id":458428,"date":"2026-02-15T01:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T01:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/458428\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T01:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T01:45:15","slug":"why-the-leafs-might-wait-longer-than-fans-expect-before-the-first-big-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/458428\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Leafs might wait longer than fans expect before the first big trade"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Jun <\/p>\n

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

A new report states the Toronto Maple Leafs may wait until the very end in order to get a trade done, which may leave them with less time than expected.<\/p>\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs trade plans may keep them from pulling the trigger on a deal until the very end, according to a new report.<\/p>\n

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs may not make a deal until the NHL’s trade deadline on March 6th<\/a>, with the team not having yet decided on their season outlook.<\/p>\n

Dreger reports that the belief is the Leafs ownership, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, may not want to see Toronto make a deal while the team is still in contention in a playoff spot.<\/p>\n

Toronto sits six points back from the final wild card spot, having 63 points on the season with a 27-21-9 record, but having won their last three games before the Olympic break.<\/p>\n

Leafs still stuck in limbo amid playoff uncertainty<\/p>\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs may wait until the very end to potentially make a deal depending on where they end up in the playoff hunt.<\/p>\n

If Toronto gets back into the playoff race by the deadline on March 6th, the Leafs may finalize their plans to buy, but a continued slide would begin the sell-off process.<\/a><\/p>\n

But if the Leafs remain in a scenario down the middle, still in contention territory but just outside, it may lead to some difficult choices for Toronto.<\/p>\n

The Leafs being in a playoff purgatory could have the team buying, but also selling depending on the prices that exist on the market.<\/p>\n

Players such as Bobby Mcann could net a first round pick, and would make even a buying team such as Toronto consider the value of such a return.<\/p>\n

That brings the uncertainty of the Leafs to having to wait until the very end, as was the case last year where Toronto waited until deadline day to make a move, although they were contenders at the time. Regardless of where they are, deadline day may be where Toronto makes their move either way.<\/p>\n

If Leafs fans were hoping the team would come out of the break ready and set on their plans for the season, they’ll have to wait just a bit longer for which path Toronto takes.<\/p>\n

Previously on Hockey Patrol<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

1 HOUR AGO|18 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Why the Leafs might wait longer than fans expect before the first big trade<\/p>\n

If the Leafs are just outside the playoffs at the deadline, should they buy or sell?<\/p>\n

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