The Toronto Maple Leafs could still use another center or a top-six forward, and a trade idea has them acquiring one player to solve both issues.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Maple Leafs acquiring Kirby Dach from the Montreal Canadiens in an intriguing move.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Canadiens acquire:
- Bobby McMann
- Nick Robertson
- 2027 sixth-round pick
- 2028 second-round pick
The Maple Leafs would take a flier on Dach on the final year of his deal for two NHL forwards, a prospect, and two draft picks, including a second-round pick.
Toronto would acquire Dach, who’s entering the final year of his four-year, $13.45 million deal, and is an RFA at the end of the year. However, Dach has dealt with injuries, so Montreal could look to move on. Dach can play center, but could also play on the top-line right wing and replace Mitch Marner. He recorded 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games, but he has dealt with injuries in his career.
In return, Toronto would give up two draft picks, including a second-rounder. The Maple Leafs would also give up McMann, who can replace Dach’s offense. McMann struggled to score last season and doesn’t have a definitive role. He’s in the final year of his two-year, $2.7 million deal. McMann recorded 20 goals and 14 assists for 34 points in 74 games.
The Canadiens would also acquire Robertson, who, like McMann, doesn’t have a clear-cut spot on the roster. Robertson signed a one-year, $1.825 million extension, but his name has still come up in trade talks. Robertson recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games.
Dach Would Fill a Need for the Maple Leafs
If Toronto does make a trade for Dach, he would fill a major need for the team.
The Maple Leafs could use another center who can play in the top-six if someone gets hurt, but he can also slide in as the first-line right winger.
Marner was the top-line right winger, but he left in the offseason, and the Maple Leafs haven’t replaced him. Replacing Marner was a need for the Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving.
“Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
Dach could be a high-upside play for the Maple Leafs as they’d bank on him staying healthy and being a top-six forward and adding some more offense to the lineup.
Dach May Not Be Ready for Opening Night
Throughout his career, injuries have been an issue for Dach, and that has continued into the NHL.
Dach had a season-ending injury last year, and it appears the rehab hasn’t gone as expected, according to Maxime Truman of DansLesCoulisses.
“Five months after his most recent knee surgery and about forty days before the start of training camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play,” Truman wrote. “Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting the season at the same time as everyone else is two months are still pretty slim, which is enough to worry those hoping to see the Canadiens make the playoffs in 2026.”
Dach has had season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons.
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