The Toronto Maple Leafs will head into the 2025-26 season with a solid club. Few glaring holes need to be addressed. Like all contenders, the Leafs need more scoring, depth, and support across the lineup.
Barring major injuries and significant inconsistency, the Maple Leafs’ biggest needs come trade deadline time will focus on rounding out the roster so that the club will be ready for a strong playoff run.
It’s worth pointing out that Leafs Nation will solely focus on gearing up for the postseason. So, the regular season grind will only serve to fine-tune the team leading into next spring.
That said, the Maple Leafs will need to focus on three key areas heading into this season’s trade deadline.
3 Areas Maple Leafs Will Need to Address at 2026 Trade Deadline
Goaltending Depth
Assuming the Maple Leafs’ tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz remains healthy and consistent, the Leafs won’t need to trade for a starting goaltender. However, the club will need to target a capable third-string goalie.
Unless Dennis Hildeby emerges as a bona fide NHL goalie this season, the Leafs will need insurance. That insurance will be crucial since injuries can and will happen in the postseason. Last year, Anthony Stolarz went down in Game 1 of the Panthers series.
Two years ago, Ilya Samsonov and Woll both dealt with issues in the first-round series against the Bruins. So, a reliable third-stringer will be a move to make at some point this season.
Third-Pair Upgrade on Blue Line
The Maple Leafs’ third pair projects to be Simon Benoit and Oliver Ekman-Larsson this season. That’s not a bad combination, but not one that inspires fear in clubs like the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Assuming the Leafs get past the first round, it’s almost inevitable that they will run into the Panthers again. Of course, there’s always the possibility the Leafs could run into the Panthers in the first round.
That prospect means the Maple Leafs will target an upgrade on the blue line. The third pair seems the most reasonable to upgrade, as a top-four defenseman may not be too readily available.
While adding someone like Rasmus Andersson would be a home run, fans can’t bank on that sort of situation unfolding.
On the whole, GM Brad Treliving will be looking to upgrade Simon Benoit or Henry Thrun. The situation could become even more pressing if injuries strike. The playoff cap could significantly limit what the Maple Leafs may be able to do. But fans should count on Treliving at least kicking the tires on defensemen around the league.
Upgrade in Maple Leafs Top Six
The Maple Leafs will undoubtedly target a top-six forward all season. A 2C may not be the most urgent matter this season. But another scoring winger, ideally someone who could play with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, will be on the club’s radar.
This deal will be the hardest to pull off. But then again, there’s the chance that several teams might want to tank this season. That could make some high-level players available.
It won’t be easy for the Maple Leafs to pull off a big move, but the willingness will be there to upgrade, especially if newcomer Matias Maccelli fails to impress.
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