The Toronto Maple Leafs were fairly active in the free-agent market, securing a top-pair defenseman in Chris Tanev, albeit at a high price.
However, the Leafs didn’t make significant changes to their forward lineup and lost winger Tyler Bertuzzi to the Chicago Blackhawks amid tampering accusations.
In a series of trades proposed via PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, a user suggested three moves that could overhaul Toronto’s roster across goal, defense, and offense.
Maple Leafs Receive:
– Patrik Laine
– 2025 Blue Jackets 1st-Round Pick
– 2026 Blue Jackets 1st-Round Pick
– Shea Theodore
– 2027 Golden Knights 1st-Round Pick
– 2025 Golden Knights 2nd-Round Pick
– Yaroslav Askarov
– 2026 Predators 3rd-Round Pick
Blue Jackets Receive:
– Mitch Marner
– 2026 Maple Leafs 3rd-Round Pick
Golden Knights Receive:
– Timothy Liljegren
– Jake McCabe
Predators Receive:
– Anthony Stolarz
– 2026 Maple Leafs 1st-Round Pick
Additional moves suggested include acquiring Thomas Bordeleau and a Sharks 2025 2nd-round pick, as well as Martin Fehervary.
If completed, this trade would help the Leafs address Marner’s situation and avoid losing him for nothing, while also moving the unsettled Liljegren out.
Moreover, Toronto would acquire a promising goalie in Askarov, who is on the trade block following the Predators’ long-term extension with Juuse Saros.
Combining the contracts of Askarov (three years, $2.78 million), Theodore (seven years, $36.4 million), and Laine (four years, $34.8 million), the Leafs would be taking on $74 million in total.
Mitch Marner Linked to Vegas Golden Knights
Marner is the top trade asset for the Maple Leafs, and with his contract nearing its end, a trade is even more appealing.
Though it’s uncertain if Marner will be traded, he has been the subject of numerous rumors as the Leafs aim to avoid losing him for nothing in 2025.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman linked Marner to the Golden Knights on June 12, citing their need for offensive power and surplus of blueliners.
Potential Trade Feasibility:
To trade Marner for Laine, both the Leafs and Blue Jackets must agree on the terms, and both players need to approve the move due to their no-move clauses.
Laine’s situation in Columbus might facilitate his trade request, and the NHL has cleared him to return after a stint in the players’ assistance program.
Laine has two years left on a contract with an $8.7 million cap hit and has struggled with injuries, scoring 64 goals and 74 assists in 174 games since joining the Blue Jackets in 2021.
Predators Open to Askarov Trade:
Nashville’s extension with Saros leaves Askarov on the trading block. GM Barry Trotz confirmed on June 29 that the team is listening to trade offers for Askarov.
Askarov has a contract through the 2024-25 season with a $925,000 cap hit. He appeared in two games during the 2023-24 season, posting a 1-0-0 record with a .943 save percentage and a 1.47 goals-against average.