The Toronto Maple Leafs are linked to trading for a key forward from a division rival.
The Maple Leafs have made some key changes to their roster, but Toronto is looking to add more talent to their roster. With the Florida Panthers above the salary cap, they could look to trade away some impact players as a cap casualty.
One name who has come up as a trade candidate is Evan Rodrigues, who’s an impactful third-line forward. NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that Toronto is a team that is linked to trading for Rodrigues.
“Rodrigues might be a casualty of Florida’s salary cap situation. He has two years remaining on his contract and is an attractive asset for another Cup contender if the Panthers opt to move him. Teams reportedly linked: Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota,” Pagnotta wrote.
Rodrigues is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and has been a key member of the Panthers’ winning the Cup in 2024 and 2025. He has two years left on his four-year, $12 million deal. He would be an impactful middle-six player for the Maple Leafs.
Rodrigues recorded 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in 82 games. He could serve as Toronto’s third-line center and add some more depth to the lineup.
Another Insider Thinks Panthers Could Trade Rodrigues
Pagnotta isn’t the only insider who believes Florida could trade Rodrigues.
Instead, NHL insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet says Rodrigues is the obvious trade candidate for the Panthers to get under the salary cap.
“The Panthers were able to keep all three of their big UFAs and now have a deep core of talent locked in for a long time. But today we look at a team that is $3.725 million over the cap and have to wonder how they’ll become compliant before next season begins,” Kypreos wrote. “If Tkachuk were to miss the beginning of the season and be out for a while, the Panthers would be able to get under the cap by putting his contract on LTIR.
“Aside from that, the quickest way to take a bite out of their overage would be to trade Evan Rodrigues, who makes $3 million against the cap for another two seasons,” Kyproes added. “But this is a well-liked player in the dressing room and a productive middle-six winger coming off a 15-goal season. He also scored 15 points in 21 playoff games this past spring.”
If Florida does trade Rodrigues and he does indeed go to the Maple Leafs, it would be a reunion. Rodrigues was a member of the Maple Leafs for a couple of months as he was acquired in August of 2020, but he wasn’t given a qualifying offer and was a free agent, and signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in October.
Maple Leafs Have Cap Space to Spend
Toronto could afford to acquire Rodrigues as the Maple Leafs have some money to spend.
Although the Maple Leafs have been active in the offseason, general manager Brad Treliving has money to work with and is open to spending it.
“We would’ve liked to use that earlier today. But if there’s not the right fit to use it on, we will take the flexibility,” Treliving said.
The Maple Leafs have just over $5.3 million in cap space.
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