The Toronto Maple Leafs have been relatively quiet to begin the offseason, in terms of additions, but one trade idea has them making a blockbuster deal.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Maple Leafs acquire star defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Flames acquire:
- Ben Danford
- Simon Benoit
- 2026 third-round pick
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Toronto would go all-in and add another star defenseman. In return, the Maple Leafs would deal one of their top prospects, an NHL defenseman, and a draft pick.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Andersson, who’s entering the final year of his six-year, $27.3 million deal, but an extension would likely come with the trade. Andersson recorded 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 82 games. The Swede would be a top-four defenseman who can add some offense to the blue line and further cement the Maple Leafs’ blue line.
In return, Toronto would deal a third-round pick as well as Danford. Danford was selected 31st overall in 2024 and is one of the Maple Leafs’ top prospects. He will likely be back in the OHL next season, as he is a couple of years away from making the NHL. But, Danford projects to be a stay-at-home physical defenseman.
The Flames would also acquire Benoit, who’s an NHL defenseman and would help replace the void of Andersson. Benoit has two years left on his three-year, $4.05 million deal. He’s a shutdown defenseman who plays physical but can also add a bit of offense. Benoit recorded 1 goal and 9 assists for 10 points in 78 games.
Flames GM Fine Holding onto Andersson
Andersson’s name has come up in trade rumors as he’s entering the final year of his deal.
If Andersson isn’t going to re-sign with Calgary, the Flames would be wise to move him. Yet, Flames general manager Craig Conroy says he’s fine holding onto Andersson.
“I’m not stressed or feel pressure about it, and we actually need Rasmus to be here and be a good player for us,” Conroy said.
“No, right now he’s totally fine with playing for the Calgary Flames. That was the last conversation, and he’s always said that he’s a Calgary Flame,” Conroy added. “When he comes back in September, he’ll say the same thing to you guys, ‘I love it here.’ Until something’s done, nothing’s done.”
Andersson has spent his entire career with the Flames after being drafted 53rd overall in 2015.
Maple Leafs GM Likes The Build of His Defense
Since taking over as the Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving has done a good job rebuilding the team’s defense.
Toronto has seven NHL-caliber defenses under contract for next season, and Treliving likes the size and length of his blue line.
“In today’s game, I like the length of our defense, I like the makeup of our defense. We’ve still got to be able to get out of our own end,” Treliving said. “There are things we can do in terms of closing quicker and taking away space… We need to get more offense from our defense. But in terms of personnel, we’ll see. I like the D-corps, but we can’t be rigid.”
The Maple Leafs have Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Benoit, Jake McCabe, and Philippe Myers all under contract for next season.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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