logo
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
What is your ideal 2025 NHL Trade Deadline for the Maple Leafs?
alt
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
Michael Mazzei
Mar 6, 2025, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Mar 4, 2025, 17:26 EST
Comments
The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching and all is quiet on the Toronto Maple Leafs side of things.
General manager Brad Treliving has made it clear that his top priority is to acquire a centre and reports indicate this is his priority, at the time of filing. Additionally, there are growing needs to shore up their backend in the wake of Chris Tanev’s injury and the hole it has left behind while the concerns of secondary scoring are not going away.
With so many potential areas the Leafs can address leading up to the deadline, fans have a wide range of opinions on what they believe would be an ideal outcome once the window for trades closes at 3 p.m. on Friday.  That’s why we posted on our socials a question for Leafs Nation: What is your ideal trade deadline for the Leafs?
We received nearly 300 responses across all of our social media platforms and we appreciate fans taking the time to share their perspective on their ideal trade deadline! Here are some of the highlights:

Keeping Minten and Cowan while getting Laughton and a depth D

— Andy's Bath, Gates & BBQs (@andysbathgatesbbqs.bsky.social) 2025-03-03T19:34:16.550Z

Reports have indicated that the Leafs are willing to give up one of Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, Ben Danford, or their 2026 first-round pick to address their current needs. While it won’t be easy to execute a trade without one of the prospects being given up it is certainly doable.
Scott Laughton has long been a popular target for fans given that he addresses their needs, is from the area, and would be under contract for another season after this one. If Laughton and a defenceman are what the Leafs end up with, a good portion of the fanbase will likely be happy with this outcome.
Brock Nelson has been near the top of trade target boards all season and has been one of many centres connected to the Leafs. While he would make sense, Treliving may prefer to target someone with term given that Nelson will be a UFA this summer.
Colton Parayko is another player who Leafs fans have had on their trade wish list for several years, though it remains unlikely that the St. Louis Blues will trade him. The realistic options mentioned here certainly make a lot of sense and are achievable given the limited amount of cap space available.
Our friends at Leafs Morning Take have been clamouring for the idea of the Leafs acquiring Luke and Brayden Schenn and for good reason: both are the kind of players the team needs. The fact that a few teams are willing to try and reunite the brothers who have both appeared in their 1000th career game this season means that some GMs think it is doable as well.
Achieving both won’t be easy and Treliving may have no choice but to prioritize his focus on one over the other. But if he can pull this off, there would be plenty of Leafs fans feeling jacked about it.
I approve of Jazzy’s second option because that would result in the acquisition of Alexey Toropchenko. The first option could be worth pursuing if the Leafs want to shift their focus on getting players with expiring contracts. Jazzy also makes a good point in that recent Stanley Cup winners typically don’t go big game hunting and that the Leafs getting the big fish won’t guarantee success in the playoffs.
As mentioned earlier, Tanev’s absence has been felt lately in terms of how the Leafs play defensively. There is an argument to be made that Treliving should instead prioritize bolstering the back end instead of at centre given some of the question marks despite the improved results. If this is the direction he goes with that results in a first-round pick or equivalent being given up, it may make a bigger impact than adding another forward given the Leafs already have loaded up front.
It is understandable why some fans may want the Leafs to keep their roster intact given how well the season has gone to this point and the dangers of disrupting the chemistry in the locker room. At the same time, there are risks in not making any adds because you run the risk of your opponents surpassing in talent and that could make the difference between first in the Atlantic or one of the other spots.
What do you think is your ideal trade deadline for the Leafs? Let us know in the comments down below!
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News