The Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to bolster their forward group this offseason, but a recent trade proposal suggests they could acquire two forwards from the Anaheim Ducks.

PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, allows users to create their own trades, and one user suggested a blockbuster deal where the Maple Leafs would receive Ryan Strome and Brett Leason from the Ducks.

Proposed Trade:

Maple Leafs get:
– Ryan Strome
– Brett Leason

Ducks get:
– Timothy Liljegren
– Topi Niemela
– 2025 second-round pick (Florida’s)

In this proposed trade, Toronto would bring in Strome and Leason in exchange for two young defensemen and a draft pick. Strome, who is entering the third year of his five-year, $25 million contract, would immediately slot into the Maple Leafs’ top-six forwards, providing an additional scoring threat. Last season, he played 79 games, scoring 11 goals and adding 30 assists for a total of 41 points.

Leason, on the other hand, could serve as a third-line forward for Toronto. He contributed 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 68 games with Anaheim last season.

For the Ducks, this trade would aid their rebuilding process by securing a draft pick and two promising young defensemen in Liljegren and Niemela.

Liljegren, 25, was a first-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft and recently signed a two-year, $6 million extension with Toronto. Despite his extension, his name has surfaced in trade rumors. Last season, he played 55 games for the Maple Leafs, tallying 3 goals and 20 assists for 23 points.

Niemela is one of Toronto’s top defensive prospects, though his path to the NHL is currently blocked. Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Niemela played in the AHL last season, recording 8 goals and 31 assists for 39 points in 68 games.

Liljegren’s Extension and Desire to Stay in Toronto

Liljegren was the subject of trade speculation earlier this offseason, but he committed to staying in Toronto by signing a two-year extension.

After signing, Liljegren expressed his desire to remain with the team, stating, “Toronto was always the place I wanted to be, and I’m happy we got it done.”

Liljegren has appeared in 196 NHL games, amassing 14 goals and 51 assists for a total of 65 points.

Former NHL Coach Criticizes Ducks’ Offseason Moves

The Anaheim Ducks, one of the NHL’s weakest teams currently in a rebuild, have faced criticism for their quiet offseason. While they acquired Robby Fabbri and Brian Dumoulin in trades, former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau criticized the Ducks’ lack of activity in free agency.

Speaking on TSN, Boudreau remarked, “Even San Jose, good moves or bad moves, they’re making moves. Chicago’s making moves to try to improve their team. What has Anaheim done? They’re sitting there. They’re hoping their young guys are going to be okay, but their fan base is not five million strong like Toronto. It’s very limited. You got to start putting a good team in Anaheim, and I don’t know if Pat Verbeek has done that right now.”

The Ducks have not made the playoffs since the 2017-18 NHL season.