The Toronto Maple Leafs have to make some extremely difficult decisions in the coming days. Toronto has struggled throughout the 2025-26 season and is currently outside of a playoff place. As a result, most insiders around the league believe that the club will be a seller in the trade market.
The Maple Leafs do, however, have six games before the March 6 deadline. What happens in these matchups could affect how the team assesses its roster. At the moment, several players have been linked with a move away from Toronto. This particular group consists of upcoming unrestricted free agents Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton, as well as defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
McMann may just be the club’s top trade asset in the coming days. The forward is in demand due to his scoring ability and his modest $1.35 million AAV cap hit. The Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, and Colorado Avalanche have all been linked with McMann in recent days. A recent report also suggested that Toronto could still re-sign the budding star. Nevertheless, an upcoming trade is still very on the table.
Another team that would likely love to add McMann is the Utah Mammoth. Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon specifically named the Western Conference club as a suitor for the forward on February 25. According to the reporter, Utah could even be the perfect trade partner with Toronto in the coming days.
The Utah Mammoth can Offer Ample Draft Picks, Prospects to Toronto Maple Leafs
GettyBobby McMann is a very popular trade target this season.
For starters, the Mammoth clearly needs a player such as McMann. While their defensive statistics are impressive, Utah has posted a fairly ordinary 3.14 goals per game on the current campaign. Dixon also points out that McMann would bring some much-needed size to the Mammoth’s forward group. Utah has plenty of cap room to spare as well, yet this would not matter much considering McMann’s salary.
Most importantly for Toronto, Utah has a plethora of desirable draft picks and quality prospects. It has been reported that the Maple Leafs want a first-round selection in return for McMann. This, however, could be difficult to get. The Vancouver Canucks recently had to bend on their similar asking price for Kiefer Sherwood. Ultimately, the San Jose Sharks acquired the veteran forward for two second-round picks. A similar scenario could very well be likely regarding McMann.
Interestingly enough, the Mammoth have five second-round selections over the next two drafts. Utah could quite easily deal two of these picks to Toronto without affecting their future. ESPN also recently rated the Mammoth as having the third-best prospect pool in the entire NHL. This could help Toronto if they prefer to acquire a young player in any deal.
Toronto is in Need of a Roster Adjustment
The Maple Leafs certainly need to shake things up. Toronto is struggling on the ice and does not have a ton of cap space or various highly-rated prospects waiting in the wings. Something has to give with their roster. Potentially letting go of a player or two to help acquire draft picks and/or prospects is likely needed.
Assuming that Toronto cannot get a first-round selection for McMann, Utah would be the perfect place to shop. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos recently revealed that an anonymous NHL exec does not believe McMann to be worth such a high draft pick. If other teams feel the same way, the Maple Leafs may have to take what they can get.
Maple Leafs can Find Perfect Trade Partner out West