Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Trade Idea: Familiar Face Could Be a Fix for Their Blue Line

Chris Tanev is out, and the Maple Leafs need help on defence. Could a swap with Nashville bring back a familiar face?

by
NHL Trade Talk
October 15, 2026

The Maple Leafs have a hole on defence, and a former player might be the answer. A trade pitch article by Cole Shelton of Heavy.com suggests that the Leafs bring back one of their former blueliners, giving up a player they were trying to offload anyway.

With Chris Tanev injured — the team just updated that he is now week-to-week — Toronto’s blue line is thinner than it was before. According to Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne, GM John Chayka is already checking in with other teams to see who is available. Shelton suggests one possible fit: a swap with the Nashville Predators.

The idea

Maple Leafs get: defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin
Predators get: forward Miles Wood

Why it Works for Toronto

Lyubushkin has played in Toronto before and hasn’t appeared in a game for Nashville this season. He’s a stay-at-home defender who could handle third-pairing minutes and help absorb some of what Tanev provides. He’s also in the final year of a three-year, $9.75 million deal, so the risk is small. If it doesn’t work out, the Leafs could waive him.

Ilya Lyubushkin back to the Maple Leafs?

Why It Works for Nashville

Wood came to Toronto in the Kirill Marchenko-Matthew Knies trade and is now in the AHL, in the fourth year of a six-year, $15 million contract. He could give Nashville some size and speed in the bottom six. He has also struggled in recent years, so he’s no sure thing. Even so, the Predators don’t lose much, since Lyubushkin isn’t playing there anyway.

Not to mention, new GM Chris MacFarland has been active. He’s made 10 trades already since he took over as GM in early June.

This isn’t a splashy move, and it won’t fully replace Tanev. But Bourne notes the Leafs have enough offence to outscore some of their problems, so a steady depth defenceman may be all they need. “The Leafs, with this much firepower — and, oh buddy, do they once again have firepower — are going to help by outscoring their issues on some nights. There are some under-talented teams out there they should make short work of. And even when they fall behind, they can always get back into a game.”

Would you make this deal, or should Toronto aim higher?