The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the National Hockey League’s most premier teams. This trade deadline will prove to be one of the most important deadline’s in recent history for the Maple Leafs. Toronto has many of their star players in the final year of their contract, giving the team a chance at one possible final push.

Toronto doesn’t have a strong enough farm system to be able to pull from for an abundance of trades, but the assets they do have are enough to give the team an upgrade heading into the postseason. Here are the trades that I believe the Maple Leafs should make for a Stanley Cup run.

F Scott Laughton – Philadelphia Flyers

Like it was mentioned in my previous article, Laughton is one of Philadelphia’s top trade pieces, as he is a forward who can play anywhere on a line in the middle of your forward group. Laughton is a very versatile player who can slot into both special teams, and be a strong force on the penalty kill. Laughton would be a premier candidate for the Maple Leafs, as he would immediately fill the hole they have at 3C, and he’d provide a much needed spark centering Bobby McMann and a platoon of Robertson, Domi, or Holmberg.

D Luke Schenn – Nashville Predators

Luke Schenn signed in Nashville in the 2023 offseason after being traded to the Maple Leafs for their playoff push. Leafs fans already know what Schenn brings on the backend, especially after drafting him with their fifth-overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft. Schenn is a strong, defensive defender who isn’t afraid to use his body to get in the way of a shot, or to lay a hit. Schenn would likely pair with Morgan Rielly, keeping the McCabe-Tanev pair intact. Schenn has one more year on his contract, at $2.75M for this season and next. Schenn would be the perfect defensive addition for the Maple Leafs.

F Ryan Donato – Chicago Blackhawks

This one might be a little bit of a stretch, as Donato isn’t the type of player the Leafs usually get at the deadline. Donato however would be a great fit on the third line, bringing a spark and a goal scoring touch to the bottom six. Possibly centering Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson, Donato would be the perfect addition to that line to give Toronto 3 dangerous scoring lines. Donato will cost the Leafs a pretty penny, as he is Chicago’s leading goal scorer and one of their most coveted trade pieces this deadline.

At the end of the day, the Maple Leafs’ trade deadline approach will come down to balancing immediate playoff needs with long-term roster flexibility. Adding Scott Laughton would bring versatility and grit, Luke Schenn could provide a physical defensive presence, and Ryan Donato offers cheap scoring depth. While each player addresses a different need the team has, Toronto doesn’t have much money to work with, so they’ll have to be smart with their trades. Whether they make a bold move or minor tweaks, their deadline decisions will shape their postseason success.