The Toronto Maple Leafs have a need for another centerman, and one trade idea has them addressing that issue.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Anders Lee from the New York Islanders in a blockbuster deal involving a top prospect.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Islanders acquire:
- Ben Danford
- 2026 third-round pick
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Toronto would acquire a star centerman for one of their top prospects and a draft pick.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Lee, who’s entering the final year of his seven-year, $49 million deal. Lee is a good second or third-line center who can play well defensively but can also add offense, which is needed for the playoffs. Lee is the Islanders’ captain, and he recorded 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points in 82 games last season.
In return, the Maple Leafs would give up a third-round pick as well as Danford, who is one of their top two prospects. Danford is a pure stay-at-home defenseman who was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. In the OHL last season, Danford recorded 5 goals and 20 assists for 25 points in 61 games.
The 19-year-old would join the Islanders’ defensive prospects of Matthew Schaefer and Kashawn Aitcheson, who New York took first overall and 17th overall, respectively, in this past draft.
Maple Leafs Open to Trading Danford
With Toronto in a win-now window, the Maple Leafs are open to trading their top prospects and draft picks.
However, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the Maple Leafs are floating Danford’s name out in trade talks.
“I’ve started to hear Ben Danford’s name as a piece that they might consider to dangle,” Pagnotta said on the JD Bunkis podcast.
If the Maple Leafs were going to trade Danford, Toronto would have to get something major back, like Lee, who can solidify the center ice position for the Maple Leafs.
But, it is interesting that Pagnotta is reporting that Danford’s name is out there, as he did seem like someone Toronto was looking to hold onto and build around.
Maple Leafs Searching for Forward Help
Toronto did acquire Nicolas Roy, who is more of a winger or fourth-line center to help out the position. And, with John Tavares back, the Maple Leafs may not have a huge need at center as originally thought.
But, just adding more offense to the roster is key, especially after Mitch Marner left in a sign-and-trade.
“When a player of Mitch’s magnitude moves away, that’s never a fun day,” Maple Leafs GM Treliving said. “But we were able to recoup a player who I think can really help us. And in a situation where a player was walking away this morning for nothing, we were able to recoup a player that fits a need for us… Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole. That’s really where our focus is.”
Currently, Toronto enters the season with Auston Matthews, Tavares, Scott Laughton, and Roy as their projected centers. So, adding a second or third-line center could be an area of need for Toronto.
Trade Idea Has Maple Leafs Dealing Top Prospect in Package For $49M Center