The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to capitalize on their Stanley Cup window by potentially trading for Barrett Hayton, a former fifth-overall pick. A proposed trade from the PuckGM tool on PuckPedia suggests sending defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for Hayton.

Proposed Trade:
– Maple Leafs Receive: Barrett Hayton
– Utah Receives: Timothy Liljegren

Both players are former first-round picks who have not met expectations. While Toronto might pursue this swap, Utah could seek more from the deal.

Hayton, drafted fifth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, could serve as Toronto’s third-line center, adding depth scoring. Last season, he faced injuries, playing only 33 games and registering 3 goals and 7 assists. He is currently in the first year of a two-year, $5.3 million contract.

In exchange, the Maple Leafs would trade Liljegren, who was taken 17th overall in 2017 but has struggled to secure a consistent spot in the lineup. Currently in the first year of his own two-year, $6 million deal, he played 55 games last season, totaling 3 goals and 20 assists.

Liljegren’s Status

Liljegren’s performance has seen him frequently miss games, and new coach Craig Berube expressed disappointment in his play during training camp. Berube emphasized the need for Liljegren to simplify his game and improve his physicality.

After being a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs are exploring trade options for him.

Hayton’s Extension

Hayton, an RFA this summer, signed a two-year, $5.3 million extension. Utah’s GM Bill Armstrong expressed satisfaction with the deal, highlighting Hayton’s two-way reliability and his value alongside skilled forwards.