Maple Leafs Have Reached Out About Trade for Rangers’ $40M Center

According to Molly Walker of the New York Post, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reached out to the New York Rangers about a possible trade involving center Vincent Trocheck. Saying that the team sees Trocheck as a solid fit at the No. 2 center spot, they have begun discussions about what the ask might be from a Rangers point of view.

---

Walker writes:

“By holding off on accepting a deal for Vincent Trocheck at this year’s trade deadline, the Rangers are now in prime position to maximize the veteran center’s value if they so choose. The Blueshirts have been rewarded with a ton of interest around the NHL for Trocheck, who is widely considered to be signed to one of the most valuable contracts at the center position in the NHL right now with three seasons remaining at $5.625 million per and a 10-team no-trade list that kicks in July 1. A thinned-out free-agent class has made Trocheck a major player of interest, but the Rangers haven’t exactly shopped the 32-year-old this summer.”

With few top-six centers available, Walker notes that the Rangers are looking for a significant return if they are to part with Trocheck. The minimum ask is a first-round pick, a roster player, and a prospect.

The Maple Leafs Are Pushing For a Trocheck Trade

Walker adds that in the wake of Max Domi’s back surgery complications, Toronto has reached out about Trocheck.

She writes, “Domi is out indefinitely, which puts the Maple Leafs in the market for a second-line center. Depending on whether Toronto is on Trocheck’s no-trade list and the Pittsburgh native is willing to go to Canada, it could be a fit. Trocheck would likely slot behind Auston Matthews, which could allow for John Tavares to slide into a more sheltered role on the third line as he prepares to turn 35 in September.”

It is not believed the Maple Leafs would be willing to move their first-overall pick to acquire Trocheck. That said, they do have a second-rounder (60th overall) this year, a first-rounder in 2027 (originally the Avalanche’s), and another first-rounder in 2029 to offer.

So too, they might be willing to include Nick Robertson in the trade and/or defenseman Ben Danford.

She adds, “Matthew Knies is believed to be on the Rangers’ radar as well, but it is unclear if the Maple Leafs would be willing to part with the 23-year-old power forward. If the Rangers are driving a hard bargain, Knies is a player worth pushing for.”

Maple Leafs Will Have Some Competition for Trocheck

The Maple Leafs aren’t the only team with a keen interest in Trocheck. Minnesota’s pursuit of the center was one of the league’s worst-kept secrets last season, with GM Bill Guerin even joking that his relationship with Chris Drury might earn a discount — though that clearly didn’t materialize. The Detroit Red Wings also pushed to acquire Trocheck before the trade deadline. her was a also a report linking the Montreal Canadiens, there have been no talks between Montreal and New York.

If the Rangers do move him, they’ll be expecting a return that reflects that growing value — and their patience may ultimately pay off.

Next: 2 Veteran Options Linked to Maple Leafs as Coaching Search Intensifies