The Toronto Maple Leafs have a clear need for a top-six forward, and one trade idea has them acquiring a star winger to fill the need.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues in a blockbuster deal.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Blues acquire:
- Easton Cowan
- Nick Robertson
- 2028 first-round pick
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster, as Toronto would acquire Kyrou, who’s a legit star top-six forward who would bolster their offense. But, the cost wouldn’t be cheap as the Maple Leafs would give up their top prospect, an NHL forward, and a first-round pick.
The Maple Leafs would acquire Kyrou, who has six years left on his eight-year, $60 million deal. Kyrou could play on the top line and be a perfect replacement for Mitch Marner, as he would be another offensive weapon for Toronto. Kyrou recorded 36 goals and 34 assists for 70 points in 82 games last season.
In return, St. Louis would acquire a first-round pick and Cowan as the big part of the deal. Cowan is Toronto’s top prospect and is expected to play NHL games next season. He was selected in the first round in 2023 and would be a top-six winger for St. Louis.
The Maple Leafs would also trade Robertson, who’s a 23-year-old young forward who can play in the middle-six for St. Louis. Robertson is an RFA and doesn’t have a clear role with Toronto. He recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games.
Blues Open to Moving Kyrou
Kyrou’s no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, but his name has still come up in trade rumors.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed the Blues are looking to move his salary, and acquiring Cowan and Robertson would do that and also make them younger.
“The Blues have been open to moving Kyrou,” Servalli said on Bleacher Report. “Not just because it’s an expensive deal with $50-plus million remaining on it. But also because they’ve got Jimmy Snuggerud in the pipeline ready to play in the NHL. They think that Snuggerud can take a lot of the production that Kyrou provides.”
Seravalli claims the Maple Leafs are one of several teams interested in Kyrou if he is open to moving his no-trade clause. He is from Toronto, so perhaps he would waive it to go play for his hometown team and be a top-line player.
Maple Leafs Have Need for Another Top-End Forward
Kyrou would fill a major need for Toronto as the Maple Leafs need to replace Marner.
Toronto has added more depth forwards this offseason, like Nic Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Mattias Maccelli. But the Maple Leafs haven’t acquired a top-line player, which is a goal.
“When a player of Mitch’s magnitude moves away, that’s never a fun day… Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
Despite losing Marner, the Maple Leafs are still expected to be a playoff team next season.
Trade Pitch Sees Maple Leafs Acquiring $65M Star to Fill Major Need