Leafs Talk Mobile

24 Feb 2026 20:24:12
Sam girard went for kulak and a 2nd today am I missing something I know he’s undersized but still very mobile 4-5 defender does this drive up OEL’s price at all?

24 Feb 2026 23:45:12
maybe they're clearing cap for a trade, they save 2.25 mil i think. and absolutely that should increase OEL trade value, i think he should 100 percent go for first and a prospect.

25 Feb 2026 03:55:35
@Goat2.0
You got the trade details wrong.
It's Girard, plus a 2nd
For
Kulak

I think Dubas did well here and Colorado is definitely opening up some cap space for a bigger move.

25 Feb 2026 10:23:27
It was the Opposite. Kulak went to Colorado and Girard and a 2nd in 2028 came back to Pittsburgh. Kulak is older and had a lower salary but was going to be a UFA and probably would get about the same as what Girard is earning once he gets offers. So in return for this current season of taking on Girards higher salary the Penguins got Colorado to toss in the 2nd round pick. Win/ win for both teams. Dubas as much as leafs fans hate to hear it is a genius. He got rid of Jarry to get Kulak and Skinner and a 2nd. Now after all is said and done he traded Jarry and ended up with Girard, Stu Skinner, and 2 seconds . Brilliant.

25 Feb 2026 10:25:22
Yes I know which makes it crazier for Colorado I don’t really see who is a big fish that’s available i think the size thing is a factor.

25 Feb 2026 17:46:06
Kulak has been playing fairly well for Pitt. Maybe Colorado wanted to clear some cap and get a different type of D back.

21 Feb 2026 18:07:54
So we keep reading that the Oilers and the Kings are making a push for McMann. The names we don't hear about are Utah, Seattle, and Anaheim. If I am the GM of any of those 3 teams I am thinking. "My team is in the playoffs now and L. A is Chasing us. What could we offer to get McMann to put some space between us and them", and the other way of thiking is . "Hey Edmonton is only tied with us or a point ahead. If we get McMann we could leapfrog them and entrench ourselves further in the standings"

If you were the GM of Edmonton, L. A, Utah, Seattle and Anaheim and I was the GM of the Leafs, what is your best bid for McMann. One of those 5 will be willing in those circumstances to outbid the others and overpay. No package deal from the Leafs. Just your best offer for McMann by himself. Then lets see if any other GM on this site will outbid you!

21 Feb 2026 20:35:26
McMann is not for sale unless it’s a massive overpay or we are rebuilding from scratch. McMann is better than any late 1st round pick you get. Go ahead boys and trade away another Hyman, then proceed to cry when there is no heart on this team. 🤦 Suffering if you were GM, we would have a team full of Maccelli’s. But when you don’t know hockey, I guess it’s not your fault.

21 Feb 2026 21:14:19
@ Clarky WOW. you like to fire the insults. You should know by now I am not a fan of Macelli! All I asked was if any of those teams are looking at obtaining McMann what would you as a GM for those teams offer. I didn't ask for you to insult me. I have never said I don't like McMann but it looks like someone is going to obtain him from the leafs from all accounts. Best scenario is if they unload him that they get a asset and hopefully he has a good relationship with Treliving and likes the city and decides to resign as a UFA back here. That way we get the best of both worlds.

22 Feb 2026 01:11:14
My apologies Suffering but I don’t get it. I’ve tried having many debates over this and no one has been able to make sense of a Bobby McMann trade right at his peak. We are not rebuilding but retooling. This is a guy every team would love to have and we are trying to get rid of him for a late 1st round pick? This guy has been solid for 2-3 years now and only getting better. I still think he has way more potential but like I’ve said many times Berube is under using him. I just hate to trade him away for another team to give him his opportunity to be a legit top 6 winger. If they were planning a full on rebuild, I would have no problem with it. I feel if we get rid of this guy, we will be looking for someone just like him a year from now and it will probably cost us a lot more than a late first round pick. Anyways that’s my piece.
#keepbobby.

22 Feb 2026 14:50:49
As I said before I like McCann and he has played well (Other than last years playoffs) .

I have a couple of friends who had kids play in the show and they both have a insightful perspective on what is going on with McMann as the one went through a similar situation with his son.

They were saying that the leafs themselves may not be actively shopping McMann but that other teams that are pursuing him in a trade may be getting fed third party info that his contract negotiations with his agent may not be going well. Agents can't talk directly to other teams but use other insiders ( Reporters, other players etc. ) to leak info to other teams on the process. They feel that the leafs and McCann's camp could be close on money but it may hinge on a No trade Clause and With a player who will be 30 soon and only has a few seasons under his belt it could be the sticking point. Once other teams get wind of things like that then they start circling like vultures to inquire about the trade possibilty. Everything that is out there is not "The leafs are interested in trading McCann" it is "Other teams are looking at the possibilty of getting McCann. " If the contract talks were going well then we would not be hearing any rumours and he would probably already be signed or Extended.

If he doesn't sign in the next short while then the leafs will get a larger return before the end of the trade deadline than they will if he walks as a UFA.

22 Feb 2026 23:39:17
@Clarky I like Mcmann as well, but he is almost 30 and about to get a good amount of money. He has always been streaky and if there is one thing I have always said is a bad idea, it's paying a guy based on his best yesr ever. It never works out for GM's or teams.

I would also trade OEL as I don't think he will ever have a season this good again.

23 Feb 2026 00:42:11
LL, I have to disagree with you. He has been solid for a few years. Panthers series was his first playoff run so can’t fault him for his first series (it was a learning experience) . He is 30, yes but we are not rebuilding. He is an essential part of our secondary scoring. Forwards are playing until they’re almost 40 these days, so 30 is a perfect age for a retool. Plus he wants to be here and probably won’t get more than 5M per. For a guy putting up almost 30 the last few years that is not a bad deal. So why trade him for a late first round pick? Someone that won’t be valuable to us for 3-5 years after Matthews leaves. Reilly needs to move out. It’s a must. I’d agree with getting a 1st for OEL because he is 34 and we have Danford waiting in the wings.

23 Feb 2026 11:37:34
It's an easy straight forward decision for me.
If Leafs and McMann can agree to a fair contract before the TDL, then Leafs resign him.
If no agreement, then trade him.
No waivering back and forth.

23 Feb 2026 13:17:39
Agreed Tags.
That is exactly what I said before. A deal needs to be in place by the TDL, because if it is not, there is no guarantee he re-signs before free agency. If he won't sign now, what would make someone think he will magically do it before July 1st? If Tre did that and McMann walked, Tre will be blamed no matter what. Tre needs to get an asset if McMann won't commit.
I want McMann and Laughton back, but if they won't resign, have to try and get assets for them. As you say - straight forward decision.

23 Feb 2026 23:17:47
So what are the numbers for McMann?

I like him too but I’m not paying $5m over any term for a 30yo who didn’t score a goal in last year’s playoffs.

He also can be very streaky going a long time without scoring.

I’d listen to every offer closely.

24 Feb 2026 10:17:18
Fun fact: McMann has more goals than any player making 5M in the NHL right now but we are gonna sit here and say he is not worth 5M? You guys wouldn’t pay 5M X 4 for Bobby? Then, I have nothing else to say about this topic. Watch another player go and strive on another team.

24 Feb 2026 13:37:58
Clarky, right now I’m the only one saying I wouldn’t pay him more than $5m. Others might!

Call me crazy but I’d trade him for a 2026R1 pick (any maybe more with a team that wants to win this year) and sign Alex Tuch.

Tuch will cost $9m (or a bit more) I know but has a much longer and better track record, is bigger and more consistent. He doesn’t have McMann’s speed but is very solid. Both are the same age.

24 Feb 2026 14:16:45
I would offer McMann more term at a lower AAV as I mentioned before. Something like 6X$4.5M. It is more than fair. He may get more elsewhere, and I understand from his standpoint this is his chance to cash in, but if he wants $5M, than it is more like 4 years.

24 Feb 2026 19:21:14
I think I could support that RLF.
But if he loses that skating speed differentiator I’ll be worried.

24 Feb 2026 20:36:25
The way I look at it is yes he has had a couple of decent season. Do I like what he brings to the table? Yes but wish it was not as streaky and frustrating in that manner. But you don't at the age of 29 soon to be 30 in June expect to go from $1,350,000 to $5,000,000 with a long term. Maybe you do if you have a bit more positive pedigree. I do not dislike this kid but as fast as the fans love him. if they pay him that kind of money and he finishes like last year 0 goals in the last 11 games and 0 goals in 13 playoff games, the fans will turn on him so fast and it will not be pretty. If they sign him for a more reasonable $3,500,000 x 4 with no no-trade clauses I think that is more than fair given his stats and tenure in the league. The comparison of him regarding goals with other $5 million a year players is misleading. Because he scores a lot more than he assists. If offered any of the following straight up for him if he was to earn the $5 million I would trade for them in a hearbeat. Lundell, Dylan Strome, Drake Batherson, And only a 1oo thousand and change more than that Marchand, Nugent Hopkins, Rust. Anyway its all in the hands of Treliving and Bobby's agent. No matter what any of us think.

11 Feb 2026 17:36:59
Here is one to Ponder on.

No specific trade partners to identify but for some teams looking for depth and a deal salary cap wise.

Jarnkrok for a 2nd and leafs retain half of his remaining salary for the year.

Lorentz for a 2nd and a 4th and leafs retain half of his remaining salary for the year and the next 2 years of his remaning contract.

Laughton for a 2nd and a 4th and leafs retain half of his remaining salary for the year. Have to be realistic on his dwindling value. We certainly are not going to get back a Grebenkin and a 1st that we gave up for him. Getting the 4th as well with him being a free agent next year might be a stretch.

So in essence we would give up 3 players who are basically marginal players right now, that ice time could be given to Cowan and Quillan and either Groulz or Letteiri.

We end up with potentially 3 2nd round picks and possibly 2 4th rounders. Our cost for rentention for the rest of the season for roughly 25% of the schedule would be. $1,237,500 as well a extra $400,000 for bringing up 2 of The last 3 players from the minors. Cowan is already factored in to the cap.

Then. we find a team that will absorb Reillys contract and feed them 2 of the 2nd round picks to take the whole contract. For this year his savings would be $1,875,000 So to be rid of him we would still have a 2nd and 2 4ths (Possibly) and a savings this year of $237,500. But even with retaining half of Lorentz's Contract for 2 more years we still come out ahead by $6,825,000 for the remaining 2 years of his contract without Reilly's contract and then in 2 years it turns into a savings of $7,500,000 for the last 2 years of Reilly's contract.

It sets us up in a better position for free agency salary cap without touching any major names other than Reilly. Other moves can be done as well. But his contract is a brutal one and this might be a way of getting it done without us retaining any of his contract.

11 Feb 2026 23:40:43
I don’t think jarnkrok or Lorentz get you a return like that even with retention.

12 Feb 2026 02:13:38
YOu could be right but with this being a crazy year with so many teams on the cusp of making the playoffs and some teams at the top looking for that lower bottom six forward there could be a few teams that overpay with thos picks. Lorentz has won a Ammerican League Championship and a few years later added a Stanley cup to his resume. He played a big shutdown role in that Stanley cup. Jarnkrok brings 105 games of Playoff experience with him as well. Even a couple 3 round picks could still benefit for flipping those picks to pad up a contract retention trade could work wonders.

12 Feb 2026 12:51:07
To add to my last response. If they were to let him go for a trade and sign after the season they would have to then make a major free agent signing or a major trade deal. They are struggling for attendance. Yes they have a lot of obstructed views which limits sales to 12,000 but even with renovations they will still be one of the lower seating capacities in the league.

Plus the owners in the league are already showing concern that even with Technically sold out games, the Sunday and midweek games have huge empty seats in the lower bowl. They need to make the playoffs and make them consistently or this cursed Phoenix team could be moving once again at some point. Utah may not be the hotbed they had hoped for in regards to Hockey. A good exciting team should fill the arena no matter the day of the week the game is played.

12 Feb 2026 19:56:15
Ignore above post of mine. It was supposed to go to a thread on the Rumors side not the talk side. Strange that happened.

09 Feb 2026 20:39:12
So lets look at how things can play out after the olympics for the Leafs specifically. They have 6 games before the Trade deadline on March 6. How many points out of the wildcard do they have to be at that point to be buyers or sellers? They are 6 out now and in my mind if they 2 out they could be buyers, even possibly at 4 points out they could be buyers but if they drop to 8 and for sure 10 I think they become real sellers and don't look back just do it. There are a lot of teams as well in between that wildcard to leapfrog. It would take a lot of serious tanking to retrieve that first round pick or a lot of luck in the lottery draw to move up. My thoughts are now in the mode if we are looking for draft picks to maybe look a little further ahead start loading up on 1st round draft picks in the 2027 draft which we don't have a 1st round pick in. There are a lot of teams this year hesitant to give up first round picks for this year. Could we possibly get 3 first round picks for 2027 from various teams for the following 3 players. OEL, McMann and Carlo and maybe a prospect or 2 in the mix as well coming back. Then be in the position to swap those 3 picks or 2 depending on their draft position for either the #1 or #2 overall that year. Analysts say that this year is on of the best ever, but they are saying that 2027 could be a generational draft. I would love to see Alexis Joseph who is leading his team in St. Johns in the Q at Centre. 6'-5" 215 and can skate and has silky hands. They are comparing him to Malkin.

I know some people will say that teams might be reluctant to give up 1st rounder for these 3 but all three could fill a need for a lot of teams in the fight. Not to mention with 147 players at the Olympics we know a percentage will be coming back banged up and injured and teams will be looking for bodies. Even dare I say it Morgan Reilly might even be in demand for someone. :)

09 Feb 2026 21:56:09
You can say it a million times but if you’re not rebuilding from the ground up, you would be an idiot to trade McMann. What’s he gonna cost is 4-4.5M? 30 goal scorer, plays how he is suppose to on both ends of the ice. Why do you think so many teams are interested in this guy, mostly because they know the Leafs are stupid enough to do it. How many good players bro we need to lose for this to stop happening? Hyman, Kadri and so on…. keep trading heart players Suffering and we will be constantly rebuilding.

09 Feb 2026 23:49:23
I don’t understand the need to move Carlo honestly unless they get back the return they paid (which they won’t) why move him he’s still got another year maybe two I’m not sure but my thing is he’s looked good away from Reilly and the fact is you move him now you’ll be looking for him right away so what give up another 1st another top prospect doesn’t make sense to me it’s tanev Carlo McCabe who stay those are your shutdown guys and go get some guys who can score.

10 Feb 2026 09:32:59
@Clarky same reason I'd move OEL. They may never have another season like this at their ages respectively.

10 Feb 2026 12:13:28
@Clarky. I was just tossing out a alternative idea. The Tearing down completely might need to happen. BUt these 3 players are the only ones other than Knies, Matthews and Nylander that can get you a 1st round pick. Unless one of those 3 are packaged up a big trade is not going to happen. What we do know is this crew is not built for a cup run. Even if small contracts are left to expire and some smaller ones get traded, what do we get back for salary cap? Just enough to sign similar pieces. The fact we only have 3 total picks this year and no first round for next year means our prospects cupboard which is bare will be even more bare sooner than later. We need to start to plan ahead not for trading for the same low end players. If we trade Carlo and OEL we might get more than expected to the right team. It is just a thought. Also if we are out of the hunt and we do trade them for picks. It also puts us in a position to take a large contract or 2 with their saved contracts to eitherin return for some compensation picks. San Jose took this approach a few years back to stock pile on picks from contracts like Carey Prices etc.

10 Feb 2026 16:19:03
Personally, I can't imagine the Leafs being "buyers" by the deadline. Nothing of future importance will be offered I don't think.
Even at 2 points out or tied for a spot etc, I think it's a Jarnkrok, mid/ late pick or B/ B- type of prospect for some veteran help, but not top of the lineup type acquired.
Maybe Robertson type of move to acquire a different style player. Something like what I mentioned before, Robertson for Klapka and maybe Calgary adds a meh prospect like Kerins.

Only impact move on the add side I could see, is if a "hockey trade" happens. A true trade to benefit both teams.

06 Feb 2026 19:41:57
It's always fun to speculate on what to do for moves as us wanna be GM's do on here. The real reality of the real GM's in the league is the hands tied scenarios of what teams they can and can't trade their best assets too.

For instance. on the leafs the only players that can be traded without their say in the matter are Knies, Cowan, Roy, Lorentz, Benoit, and Myers. They have a few that don't have restrictions but are going to be RFA's so will want raises such as Macelli, Robertson, and 2 that have no restrictions but will be UFA's and could just walk from their new team after being traded, McMann and Stecher. One player that doesn't have protection from trades is Joseph Woll although in 2027-2028 he then has a 8 Team list he cannot be traded to. So realistically there are not a lot of Tradeable assets without consulting with some of the players that get mentioned a lot on if they would waive their no trade or amend their teams they could be traded to. That said. Stolarz would be a piece I would try to move. because right now he has 8 team no trade list but his contract extension that starts next season has a clause that changes that to 16 teams, restricting again the amount of trade partners. Anyone on the list there any of you guys would think could get any return other than salary dump. I think most would not want to move Knies or Cowan at theis early stage in their careers.

07 Feb 2026 22:27:57
Yes Suffering there are of course many choices.

I’d keep Matthews, Nylander, Knies and Cowan for certain, probably Taveras and maybe Robertson.

I have no need for any of the D, except maybe OEL.

In goal I keep Woll and Hildeby.

I won’t in this post suggest who I’d want for each but I’d focus more on D+1 and 2 players than those eligible for draft this year.

I’d definitely try to resign McMann and Laughton at the right price.

I’d be very active in the UFA market. There are many I like.

08 Feb 2026 18:17:19
@randy
I agree with the forward choices unless god smiles on us and offers a crazy trade for One of the big two but that is a big stretch. I agree with Woll and Hildeby they seem to have a good thing going as teammates porbably being both brought through the organization together. On the D. I Like OEL and to be honest I don't have a problem with McCabe. His Plus 17 certainly balances out the Minus 17 of Reilly. Carlo is sound defensively and is a plus player. Another I don't have a issue with bringing back as a 6th dman or a 7th that you rotate in is Stecher. He moves the puck quickly out of the zone and for a small guy finds a way to get his man to the outside boards on the ruch. Plus he is a class act . his comment in a interview was amazing "This game owes none of us anything. "

Benoit is a tradeable piece as part of another package. Carlo although I like him could get the biggest return I think. Reilly is used up and I think we will have to eat the full 50% of his contract to trade him. Last week showed how bad he is. He left the game in Vancouver in the Second period with injury, he was a -2 and we came back to win. Then he misses Calgary and Edmonton and We win both. Bit of a pattern that can't be ignored. ONly team that might want him if we ratained most of that contrct would be San Jose, they only have 2 dmen under contract for next year and one is the Rookie Dickenson. They would probably want Carlo insted though. I agree with you on the UFA Market. Some pretty serviceable and affordable guys there.