Maple Leafs Open to Another Blockbuster Trade, But Who Could Be Moved?

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The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t closing the door on another major swing. When general manager John Chayka was asked whether he’d be comfortable pulling off another blockbuster in the vein of the midseason Kirill Marchenko-Matthew Knies trade. His answer was one word: “Yes.”

Why would it matter, when the Maple Leafs are playing fairly well? First, the team is always looking. Second, they might have just lost the big player they traded for when Marchenko went down with an injury against the Calgary Flames on Monday night. It’s unclear how long that injury will be.

According to Joshua Kloke of The Athletic, Chayka left his media availability with a cheeky smile. Even though the Maple Leafs likely won’t make another big trade right away (if at all), the GM wanted the media to know he was always looking. Nothing was off the table.

Specifically, Chayka denied speculation that the Maple Leafs’ cap situation is a roadblock. Chayka said the math and finance side of pro sports is always a factor, but he doesn’t believe it would get in the way of his ability to improve the team via trade. He described the club’s flexibility as good and said it positions Toronto well.

Who Would the Leafs Dangle in a Blockbuster Trade?

Perhaps the question isn’t who Toronto would offer up in a big trade, but who they wouldn’t. Chayka stopped short of suggesting there were any untouchables, but he spoke fondly of two players.

On Easton Cowan, he described him as everything you’d want in a Maple Leaf: a passionate, 200-foot player who puts in extra work in the gym and on the ice.

On defenceman Ben Danford, Chayka’s tone suggested Toronto sees him as a long-term piece. He called Danford a prospect who could play 10 to 15 years for the organization, particularly important as the Leafs think about their blue line more broadly. The focus, he said, is on managing his contract term and making sure he’s called up only when he’s ready to help the team win at the NHL level. For now, Danford is playing big minutes in all situations and continuing to develop.

Chayka’s comments suggest he’ll look outside those two players to make a move. He is willing to be aggressive, but he’s staying protective of the building blocks he values most.

What is clear is that Toronto has the flexibility and, apparently, the appetite. At least, that’s what we was happy to make members of the Toronto media think.

Next: Maple Leafs Exposed: So What Went Wrong in Calgary?