4 Toronto Maple Leafs players who could be traded at the deadline
Pretty much the moment any player signs a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, they’re bound to find themselves in a trade rumour or two.
With Toronto flying atop the Atlantic Division, the Leafs are likely to make a few moves at the trade deadline, and would have to shake up their roster to do so.
But while just about every Leafs star player — Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, and yes, even Auston Matthews — has been in their fair share of rumours during their time in Toronto, it seems more likely the team will part ways with a lesser player.
Here are four players that Toronto might consider moving on from ahead of the March 7 trade deadline:
Nick Robertson
2024-25 stats: 36 GP, 7 G, 4 A, 11 pTS
Contract: $875,000 (RFA 2025)
After reportedly requesting a trade in the offseason, Robertson couldn’t have got off to much of a worse start to his 2024-25 campaign, putting up just two goals and no assists in his first 23 games of the year.
But he’s found his footing as of late, with five goals and four assists in his last 13 games, showing the upside that was expected when Toronto made him a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. If Robertson is still open to a move, it seems likely that he could find his way on the outs, particularly if Toronto is looking to add a more consistent scoring talent.
Pontus Holmberg
2024-25 stats: 33 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS
Contract: $800,000 (RFA 2025)
With the Leafs reportedly interested in a bottom-six centre, it might signal a change of scenery for Pontus Holmberg, who has struggled to produce offensively in his parts of three seasons with Toronto.
Though the 25-year-old Swede has accomplished quite a bit for a sixth-round pick — no player taken later than him in the 2018 draft has played more than his 124 NHL games — it might be time for Toronto to cut bait with Holmberg and recoup an asset for him ahead of his free agency negotiations this summer.
Ryan Reaves
2024-25 stats: 27 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS
Contract: $1.35 million (UFA 2026)
Nobody who watches Ryan Reaves play hockey in 2025 has much delusion about what they’re seeing. While Reaves has a reputation as one of the NHL’s toughest fighters, he’s yet to drop the gloves once this season and has contributed next to nothing offensively in his limited minutes on the fourth line.
Reaves doesn’t offer much to a team looking to compete right now, but his veteran experience might be valued by a team in the midst of a rebuild. If the Leafs are looking to shed a bit of salary, Reaves seems like an easy place to start.
Simon Benoit
2024-25 stats: 42 GP, 0 G, 4 A, 4 PTS
Contract: $1.35 million (UFA 2027)
Simon Benoit is in an interesting spot with the Leafs right now; his value to the regular season team is clear, but signs are pointing to the idea that he might be less useful come playoff time. Though he’s one of just nine players who have suited up for 40 games or more this season, his average time on ice comes in seventh amongst Toronto defencemen.
If there’s an odd man out on a Toronto blueline that’s looking to upgrade, Benoit just might be the man on the move.