Toronto has begun the process of calling around the league and seeing “what’s available to them,” according to Elliotte Friedman on the Saturday Headlines segment of Hockey Night In Canada.
“I don’t think it would be anything that anyone right now would consider earth-shattering,” Friedman said, after reporting that captain Auston Matthews’ camp and the Maple Leafs reaffirmed their commitment to each other.
The Maple Leafs (24-21-9) sat last in the Atlantic Division going into Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, and entered the contest on an NHL-worst six-game losing streak.
“Everybody sees the standings,” said Friedman. “Everybody sees that the Maple Leafs are in a position they didn’t expect to be in.”
Coming into the season, Toronto had the longest consecutive playoff appearance streak in the NHL, making it nine straight seasons. It has been some time since the front office has been in a position to sell.
Toronto traded its 2026 first-round pick along with forward Fraser Minten to the Boston Bruins for Brandon Carlo last season, but the pick is top-5 protected, meaning the Leafs can potentially retain the pick if they continue to bottom out.
The team also has some pending free agents who could be moved ahead of the trade deadline, most notably Bobby McMann. The 29-year-old is on pace to set career highs in goals and points.
Another forward who could be on the move is Scott Laughton, who was acquired at the deadline last season for forward Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick in 2027. He is also a pending unrestricted free agent, but has expressed his desire to re-sign with the team.
On the blue line, the only player who is a pending free agent is Troy Stecher, who the team brought in off waivers. The 31-year-old has been one of the few bright spots on the back end, earning the trust of Craig Berube while averaging a career-high 20:14 of ice time.
The Leafs could look to regroup some much-needed draft capital after trading their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. They only have three picks in the upcoming draft (third-, fifth- and seventh-round selections).
This year’s trade deadline is on March 6, and the NHL has a roster freeze for the Winter Olympics set for Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. ET until 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 22.
