The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to climb out of an early season hole. Toronto has lost five of their last seven games, including each of their last three. They certainly aren’t out of the playoff race by any means. But after a recent loss to the Buffalo Sabres, there are certainly some concerns starting to surface.
The Maple Leafs may need to make a big change on their roster. And this change could involve the Sabres. Bleacher Report writer Hannah Stuart suggested the following blockbuster trade between the two Atlantic Division rivals:
Toronto Maple Leafs get: Rasmus Dahlin
Buffalo Sabres get: Morgan Rielly, Nick Robertson, and a third-round pick
“The Toronto Maple Leafs want to win a Stanley Cup so badly that I wouldn’t be surprised if Brad Treliving is constantly seeing that trophy just out of the corner of his eye, haunting him like the spectre of a particularly bad ex-girlfriend. You know what helps you win the Stanley Cup? A really good number one defenseman,” Stuart wrote of their trade proposal.
Sabres May Be Reluctant To Trade Rasmus Dahlin
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesRasmus Dahlin would be one of the most in-demand trade candidates in the NHL.
It may be hard to forget that Dahlin is relatively young. He’s been in the league so long that he is closing in on 10 years in the NHL. However, he is only 25 years old. And he doesn’t turn 26 until mid-April.
The Sabres are not cemented as a postseason contender. In fact, they have missed the postseason in each of the last 14 seasons. The last time Buffalo made the Stanley Cup Playoffs, three of the teams in the league right now didn’t exist.
Beyond this, Buffalo is currently on a bit of a heater of their own. The Sabres defeating the Maple Leafs on Friday has given them four wins in their last five games. It’s still early, of course, but it’s a promising sign after this team lost each of its first three games.
The Sabres are trying to win now, and having experienced players like Rielly certainly help. However, Buffalo may be quite reluctant to make this sort of move. Especially if the return consists of two players with an injury history and mid-round pick.
Maple Leafs Could Upgrade On Morgan Rielly
Toronto has received a ton of solid service from Rielly. The veteran defenseman has spent his entire career with the Maple Leafs to this point. And he has played a large role nearly the entire time. In fact, he has just one season averaging less than 20 minutes a night — his rookie campaign in 2013-14.
However, Rielly has been on the decline for some time now. The Maple Leafs star admitted himself that his performance in 2024-25 wasn’t up to par. He is off to a good offensive start this year with six points in seven games. Still, he doesn’t look like the No. 1 defenseman of old.
Toronto can certainly keep him. He provides value, especially on the offensive end. At the same time, Stuart is correct in stating the Maple Leafs can upgrade on the veteran rearguard. If they could pull off this sort of deal for a talent like Dahlin, it would make sense for them to pull the trigger.
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