The Toronto Maple Leafs have not had the greatest start to the season in the post-Mitch Marner era. It will take some time to get used to, but the team has to figure it out. In the meantime, it doesn’t appear like management wants to wait and is looking to bring someone in through a trade and move someone out.
According to David Pagnotta, who spoke on the DFO Rundown, he said, “Expect to hear Toronto a little bit more. They’re looking at moving out one of their 95 bottom-6 guys. Toronto’s going to start to elevate their search for a top-6 guy. Wouldn’t shock me if it ends up being a center.”
The Maple Leafs have over $3.5 million cap space to work with, which is good for a contender, but something has to be shaken up with this roster that is struggling to stay above .500.
Maple Leafs’ Trade Candidates
There are three forward trade candidates that have remained the same for the Maple Leafs from at least the summer. Nick Robertson, the young forward with potential, David Kampf, who has been playing in the AHL this entire season thus far, and Calle Jarnkrok, a recent healthy scratch.
Darren Dreger reported, “The Toronto Maple Leafs are continuing to explore the trade market for forwards Nick Robertson, who has recently been on the team’s top line, and David Kampf, who has spent the season in the AHL.” While not mentioning Jarnkrok specifically in this instance, the veteran forward hasn’t recorded a point since the third game of the season. He started the 2025-26 campaign with a goal in three straight games, but then disappeared.
Jarnkrok has been used sparingly and has an average ice time of 11:15 per game this season. As mentioned, Robertson has been on the top line. The 24-year-old has two goals and four points, which is respectable. Kampf, on the other hand, has one assist in the AHL in four games.
The price is the highest for Robertson, but that’s also what has made him harder to move. If he’s on the top line and performing on a cheap deal, the Maple Leafs will be less inclined to ship him out. Jarnkrok and Kampf are much different. It’s a matter of who would take either of them for a good enough return. Likely a late-round pick at this point.
Top-6 Centers Toronto Could Be Eyeing
The hunt for a top-6 center isn’t a Toronto exclusive. A lot of teams are looking for the same sort of upgrade, making it tougher to acquire players for a reasonable price. The unexpected nature of the start of the 2025-26 season has also made things interesting.
A foreseen rebuilder in the Pittsburgh Penguins are first place in the Eastern Conference, putting the Evgeni Malkin trade rumors on hold. The Calgary Flames, although bad this season, are holding onto Nazem Kadri for the time being as well.
TSN reported, “Treliving has been open about his pursuit of a top-six forward ever since losing Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and continues to scour the market.”
With injuries and lackluster second line center options around the league for plenty of teams, the Maple Leafs are going to have a tough time with limited assets to improve as much as they need to. But it doesn’t hurt for them to search and try, which we can expect until something happens this season.
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