10 Offseason Trade Targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs

It was reported earlier today on Elliotte Friedman's podcast 32 thoughts that Auston Matthews had a productive meeting with new Leafs management, John Chayka, and Mats Sundin. With this positive information in mind, I felt it was appropriate to look at a few names that I feel the Leafs should target this offseason.

1. Owen Tippett (Philadelphia Flyers)

It is no secret that the Leafs are in need of some offensive talent and speed in the top-six, and Tippett provides them with just that. The 27-year-old is in year two of an eight-year, $49.6 million extension he signed with the Flyers in 2024. Tippett finished the season with 28 goals and 51 points, averaging just shy of 17:00 minutes a night.

Although acquiring him may prove to be more difficult than other names on this list, I do believe a trade package built around Joseph Woll could start a conversation regarding acquiring the right winger.

I believe Tippett is a perfect fit on Matthews' right wing, and would eclipse career numbers with a top-line role in Toronto.

2. Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils)

Hamilton is a name that I have had interest in for quite some time, and although he is 32-years-old, carrying an average salary of $9 million a year, the Leafs would be acquiring him for a relatively cheap price, considering it has been rumoured for months that the Devils are looking to offload his contract.

With that said, I only acquire Hamilton under a few circumstances. The first being that Morgan Rielly is traded elsewhere, freeing up cap space, making Hamilton's contract less of a burden if the move doesn't pan out. The second circumstance is only if the Leafs miss out on Darren Raddysh or another offensively skilled defenseman this offseason.

Hamilton is a good fallback option and would fit well in Toronto. Not to mention, I do believe it would be a cheap return to the Devils should a deal unfold.

3. Kent Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Kent Johnson is the name on this list I would most want. However, General Manager Don Waddell made it clear that he had not given up on the former fifth-overall pick.

Nonetheless, it would be foolish to leave his name off the list, as he is the perfect buy-low and would plug in very well with Auston Matthews.

Johnson is incredibly skilled, and Don Waddell's message does not align with the messaging from both coaches he had this season, as the 22-year-old was often scratched or placed on the fourth line.

I don't entirely believe Waddell when he says he doesn't plan to move Johnson, and I wouldn't be surprised if the player welcomed a fresh start after being tossed aside by two coaches in one season.

3. Shane Wright (Seattle Kraken)

Wright is a name I have a serious interest in; however, gauging his price tag is quite difficult. Wright had a lot of hype heading into the 2022 draft and was projected to be taken first by many. As we all know, Wright fell to fourth overall.

The Burlington, Ontario, Native is still only 22 years old, but the production is not quite there yet.

Wright is coming off a 27-point campaign playing 74 games. His average ice-time was below 13:00 minutes per game, which is not ideal for a 22-year-old who is supposed to be driving the play.

I believe Wright would be a great fit as the Leafs' second-line center and would pair well with an offensive talent like William Nylander. The only question I have regarding Shane Wright is what his price tag would be, considering you are trading based on potential rather than proven sample size of success.

4. Bowen Byram (Buffalo Sabres)

Similarly to Kent Johnson, this is a name that is not easy to acquire or extremely likely to be moved, but should be available; the Leafs should be seriously interested.

Byram is a terrific defender who has grown into a reliable two-way player capable of doing it all. He is entering the final season of his $6.25 million deal, and is certainly due for a pay raise in 2027-2028.

His name did pop up in trades throughout the season, however his postseason performance put a lot of people on notice, including the Sabres organization. He collected 7 points in 13 games, and never once looked to be taken back by any pressure.

With the Sabres needing to sign a few players, I do wonder if they consider a Byram trade with the Leafs, with Brandon Carlo and a first-round pick in play.

5. Ross Colton (Colorado Avalanche)

Another player I feel will have a new home next season due to cap issues is Ross Colton. With the acquisition of Nazim Kadri and the need to keep space available for Cale Makar's potential next contract in the 2027-2028 season, the Avalanche find themselves in a cap crunch, as they are currently over the cap by more than $3 million.

Colton is not a name that jumps off the page, but would fit perfectly on the Leafs third line, which I would design to help take defensive zone responsibility away from Auston Matthews.

The 29-year-old is a consistent 15-goal scorer, and has proven playoff success, including a Stanley Cup to his name. Colton has five points in ten games for the Avalanche this postseason, averaging less than 10 minutes per game.

Considering the Avalanche's need to clear cap space, Colton's $4 million salary seems like a contract they could move on from, and I think he is a perfect third-line addition for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

6. Mavrik Bourque (Dallas Stars)

Next up on the list is a restricted free agent who might also be traded due to salary cap issues in Dallas.

Bourque is 24 years old and coming off a 41-point season, which is why this trade is not easy to pull off; however, the Stars are more than $4 million over the cap next season and still need to sign Jason Robertson, who is also an RFA.

Should an opportunity arise to acquire Bourque, I think he would complement the top-9 very well.

7. Barrett Hayton (Utah Mammoth)

Hayton is another pending restricted free agent, who I think would fit perfectly on the Leafs.

The Peterborough, Ontario, native is 25 years old and coming off a 25-point season in 67 games.

Hayton did not see much ice and had a down year, making him a perfect buy-low for the Leafs. Hayton would certainly receive more opportunity in Toronto and would likely plug in as the third-line center.

8. Valeri Nichuskin (Colorado Avalanche)

Yes, another Colorado Avalanche has made the list, this time 6-foot-4 inches, 210-pound, 31-year-old Valeri Nichushkin.

Nichuskin is coming off a relatively quieter season and had a substantial drop in ice time compared to the last four seasons. As I mentioned previously, the Avs are in a difficult cap situation, and Nichuskin's $6.125 million contract is one the Leafs can afford but the Avalanche cannot.

Nichuksin's playstyle is something the Leafs certainly need more of, and he would definitely see more ice time in Toronto, playing in a solidified top-six role rather than moving up and down the lineup as he did this season.

9. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton Oilers)

This next name is off the board name, which is not being mentioned in any trade talks, but is a name I am very curious about.

I doubt the Oilers move on from Nugent-Hopkins, seeing as he has been with the team since being selected first overall in 2011, and he has one of the more team-friendly contracts.

With that said, the Oilers need goaltending, and the Leafs have two options: Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, who would instantly become the best goaltenders the Oilers have had in the McDavid era.

If I were the Leafs, I would call Edmonton with this offer, as Nugent-Hopkins would be an ideal second-line center next season.

10. Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks)

The Anaheim Ducks have a long list of young talent, sometimes making it difficult for players to get opportunities to play, and Olen Zellweger is on that list.

Zellweger is an incredible skater, has great vision and can shoot the puck well. He collected 32 points despite never being a first or even second option in offensive situations, and is now an RFA on a team with many expiring deals. The Ducks need to sign Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier with only $12.5 million in cap space.

Zellweger seems like a name that is almost forgotten and will never receive a full opportunity to blossom in Anaheim, which is why I would love to see him in Toronto.

The 22-year-old fills the need for a puck-moving defenseman with speed, and I don't think a trade would cost too much, considering the financial and roster management situation they will have this offseason in Anaheim.