The Toronto Maple Leafs are aiming to strengthen their defense before the NHL trade deadline, and one analyst proposed a major trade. Toronto has been linked to both centers and defensemen in preparation for the March 7 deadline. NHL analyst David Corcoran from Editor in Leaf suggested a deal that would bring Noah Dobson to the Maple Leafs.
In the proposed trade, Toronto would acquire:
- Noah Dobson (with 25% salary retention)
The New York Islanders would acquire:
- Easton Cowan
- Max Domi
- Conor Timmins
- Miroslav Holinka (signing rights)
- A 2026 first-round pick
This potential deal would be a major move, signaling that Toronto is all-in. It involves sending a first-round pick, their top prospect in Cowan, two NHL players, and the signing rights of a prospect in exchange for Dobson from the Islanders.
Dobson, 25, is in the final year of his three-year, $12 million contract but will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He would slot in as a top-four defenseman for the Leafs. This season, Dobson has played 46 games, recording 6 goals and 18 assists for 24 points.
In return, Toronto would part with Cowan, their 2023 first-round pick and top prospect. In the OHL this season, Cowan has played 32 games, tallying 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points. The Leafs would also move Domi, a fan favorite who signed a four-year, $15 million contract this offseason. However, Domi has struggled, posting 3 goals and 17 assists in 47 games for 20 points.
The Maple Leafs would also trade Conor Timmins, a depth defenseman who would take Dobson’s spot on the Islanders’ blue line. Miroslav Holinka, selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, would also be included in the deal.
**Analyst Justifies Maple Leafs’ Pursuit of Dobson**
The proposed deal is significant, and while it may seem costly for Toronto, analyst David Corcoran believes the Leafs need to make such a bold move to secure a top defenseman like Dobson.
“Dobson is a top-pairing defender who has averaged over 24 minutes per game in each of the last two seasons, while registering 70 points in 2023-24,” Corcoran explained. “We’ve all seen the impact of a high-caliber defenseman like Chris Tanev, and how the game changes with him on the ice. It’s time to do whatever it takes to acquire Dobson from New York…”
Corcoran highlighted the key assets in the trade: the first-round pick, reigning OHL MVP Cowan, and Holinka, who is starting to make waves. While he acknowledged this package may not be enough to secure Dobson, he believes it’s a strong starting point to begin negotiations, with Leafs GM Brad Treliving needing to go all-in to acquire the former 12th-overall pick.
If the Maple Leafs believe their roster is capable of contending for a championship, adding Dobson would undoubtedly bolster their chances.
Despite trade rumors surrounding Noah Dobson, insider Frank Seravalli reports that he is not available for trade. Seravalli suggests that while the Islanders may be heading toward a rebuild, Dobson will play a crucial role in that process and is expected to remain with the team.
Frank Seravalli emphasized that there are no indications that Noah Dobson is available for trade, expressing confusion over why the Islanders would consider moving him. On *Oilersnation Everyday*, Seravalli explained, “If you’re trying to reboot and become a playoff contender in two or three years, you’re going to need Dobson, Ilya Sorokin, and Mathew Barzal.” Dobson, who was selected 12th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, is seen as a key piece for the Islanders’ future.