NHL Trades and Rumors
Maple Leafs’ Interest in Brayden Schenn Came With Steep Cost Per Insider
The Maple Leafs and Brayden Schenn are being linked again, but the asking price will need to come down for Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to Brayden Schenn on and off for several years, and now that they’ve righted the ship in 2025-26, expect that chatter to pick up again as the trade deadline approaches.
GM Brad Treliving has expressed plenty of interest in the Blues captain; however, now that we know what acquiring him would have cost last year, it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll even bother revisiting the possibility this time around.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman detailed discussions between Treliving and Blues GM Doug Armstrong, revealing that St. Louis was seeking a massive return for Schenn—one that would have included Toronto’s two best prospects, Easton Cowan and Ben Danford.
“One thing that I absolutely believe is true is that the Blues told the Maple Leafs, if you want Schenn, it was going to be Cowan, Danford, and something else, like possibly a pick. And they said that is the deal that we will take to ask Brayden Schenn… I absolutely think that that was the package that was on the table, that was going to have to get it done for Schenn,”
The 34-year-old Schenn is in the sixth season of the eight-year, $52 million extension he signed with the Blues back in 2019. He’s produced just 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 46 games played in 2025-26.
Meanwhile, Cowan, 20, has been getting better with every game in his rookie season, now up to 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 34 contests.
The Maple Leafs Can’t Pay That Price for Brayden Schenn
Unless the Blues lower their asking price significantly, Treliving and the Maple Leafs are likely to steer clear of a Schenn trade just as they did a year ago.
That’s not to say he isn’t still an effective player, but for someone in his mid-thirties whose offensive output has been on the decline, the cost should be far lower.
Not to mention the Maple Leafs are quite deep down the middle, and their forward core has started to find a groove amidst their recent heater (8-0-2). If anything, the more reasonable option would be to spend a later-round pick on his brother, Luke Schenn, to help solidify a blue line that will likely be without Chris Tanev for the remainder of the season.
Next: Maple Leafs Among Three Teams Most Interested in Dougie Hamilton
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