Toronto Maple Leafs

Rival Teams Think the Maple Leafs Could Be Pushed Into a Panic Trade

Rival teams believe the Maple Leafs can be pressured into a trade. Here’s why the pressure is building and what it could mean.

by
Jim Parsons
October 19, 2026

Word is spreading around the NHL that the Toronto Maple Leafs are feeling the heat, and some teams think they can use it.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, some believe Toronto can be talked into doing something it doesn’t really want to do. That explains Friedman’s report on Saturday that the Maple Leafs might be willing to trade a premium asset for help on their blue line. The pressure on the organization is growing, and Auston Matthews has one year left on his contract. Some around the league think that could push general manager John Chayka to make a move to get things back on track.

The Leafs, 3-4-2 and last in the Atlantic Division, have also seen their defense leak since Chris Tanev’s injury. Tanev was seen skating Saturday morning and looked healthy walking around, but there’s no firm timeline for his return.

Friedman added that he’s heard Chayka has told several GMs that Toronto is willing to pay a “premium asset” for a true difference-maker on the blue line. That would not be a Band-Aid fix. The question is how many premium assets the Leafs have left. He doesn’t believe Easton Cowan is among them, but a couple of top prospects who aren’t in the NHL might be. Toronto’s first-round pick from Colorado is also in play.

What Does Older for Younger Mean?

The Maple Leafs have also indicated they’d go older for younger. Teams have taken that to mean veteran defensemen are available as long as Toronto gets a younger player back. This would include Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Troy Stecher, and maybe Morgan Rielly. The insider said a couple of people reached out to him about that part of the report, and teams are reading it as a sign Toronto is open for business.

The message to rival GMs is clear. Toronto wants to do something, and the Leafs’ public stance may be inviting calls from teams hoping to take advantage. Whether there is a market for the team’s older blueliners or teams would want prospects that aren’t Easton Cowan remains to be seen.

Whether Chayka resists the urge to overpay will be one of the more interesting stories to follow. Can he be talked into moving his top prospect?

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Jets, Senators, Canucks & Oilers