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Maple Leafs players react to possibility of teammates being moved ahead of NHL Trade Deadline: ‘It’s a crappy feeling’
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Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Mar 5, 2026, 11:30 ESTUpdated: Mar 5, 2026, 11:14 EST
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The Toronto Maple Leafs appear ready to be sellers at the 2026 National Hockey League trade deadline. Prior to the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 shootout defeat at the hands of the New Jersey Devils, and their fifth straight loss overall, the Maple Leafs scratched Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson for roster management purposes. 
The Maple Leafs find themselves eight points back of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot, leaving the door open for the team to move players before the deadline, with the hope of recouping assets for a team that only holds three draft selections in 2026 and no first-round draft pick until 2028. 
This time of year can be awkward and uncomfortable for players who will be tasked with moving to a new team and city, leaving behind family, friends and former teammates. The three aforementioned players wouldn’t just leave holes on the ice, but also in the dressing room, where they’ve become integral pieces. 
“I saw that they had empty stalls and that’s the business of it,” Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies said postgame to the media. “It sucks, those are great guys. I’ve played with Bobby [McMann] for three years, O [Ekman-Larsson] for two and Laughty [Laughton] for one. You get to know those guys so well, so it’s a crappy feeling not being able to suit up next to them and play with them.” 
McMann and Laughton are among the more likely players to be dealt, given their pending unrestricted free agent status following the completion of this season and their low cap hits. Ekman-Larsson remains under contract until the completion of the 2027-28 season at $3.5 million per year. The 34-year-old holds a 16-team no-trade list, so it’s not a sure thing that the veteran defenceman is moved prior to the deadline. Maple Leafs forward William Nylander spoke following the loss to the Devils about what seeing these players get moved would mean.
“It would be very tough to see all three of them go, something that you don’t really want to think of too much,” Nylander said to the media after Wednesday night’s loss. “We were kind of thinking they might not play, so we are just doing our best to get ready,”
The NHL can be a daunting place for a rookie, especially for some getting their first taste of hockey at the professional level. Easton Cowan, who has appeared in 46 games this year, recording 18 points, touched on the impact Laughton has had on his growth during his first season with the Maple Leafs. 
“He’s been nothing but good to me. I haven’t known him long but probably wouldn’t be the person I am right now without him,” Cowan said postgame to the media. “Just a great teammate, and it’s obviously really unfortunate.”
The Maple Leafs are set to return to action on Thursday night when they travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers. With the clock ticking until Friday at 3:00 p.m. EST, this Maple Leafs roster could look very different when they return home to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night. 

PRESENTED BY THE DAILY FACEOFF TRADE DEADLINE SPECIAL

The 2026 Trade Deadline Special is going LIVE March 6th. Join the Daily Faceoff crew on Friday, March 6th, from 11 AM-3:30 PM ET for wall-to-wall coverage of every single move as it happens. Get instant reaction, expert analysis, and exclusive insights from special guests throughout the day. Tune in LIVE on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and don’t miss a second of deadline day chaos.
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