4 top-six forwards Maple Leafs should have on trade radar

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving wants to upgrade his top six, and in order to do so, a trade is very much expected at this point. The free-agent market is thin, and so are the Maple Leafs‘ wallets, as Treliving has just under $5 million in cap space left after the first few days of free agency.

While trade assets are few and far between among the Maple Leafs organization, Treliving has shown he’s capable of getting creative, and is never shy to make a bold trade. Here are four top-six forwards the Maple Leafs’ GM should have on his radar:

Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins

Yes, seeing Treliving and Kyle Dubas doing business together would be quite the sight for sore eyes, but if there’s a forward on the Penguins who could be moved this offseason, it’s Rust. The 33-year-old right-winger is under contract through the 2027-28 season, and owns a $5.1 million cap hit.

Rust does not have any trade protection and can be moved at will. He scored 31 goals last season in 71 games last season for the Pens, and is someone who has performed very well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, recording 21 goals in 79 postseason games. He’s won two Stanley Cups, can play major minutes, including on the penalty kill, and considering Dubas still has several prospects within the Maple Leafs organization who he’s familiar with, it could be a quantity over quality type of package heading to Pittsburgh. The Pens could use some more goaltending depth so it’s possible Dennis Hildeby would be included in the deal.

Jonathan Marchessault, Nashville Predators

To the surprise of many, the Predators haven’t made many moves so far this offseason. There were rumblings there could be a fire sale before last season’s trade deadline as well, and GM Barry Trotz sat on his hands. Marchessault would be a great addition for the Maple Leafs, and would bring a winning DNA to the dressing room.

The 34-year-old has a risky contract with four years left at $5.5 million AAV, but with the type of money that’s been thrown around to fringe players this offseason, moving forward this contract won’t look nearly as bad with the salary cap going up. Marchessault owns a no-movement clause, but having a chance to win a Stanley Cup next season could be appealing. He scored 21 goals and 56 points in 78 games, and has an impressive 76 points in 102 postseason games. Marchessault could immediately jump onto the top line with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews, which at this point, appears to be a wide open competition.

Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames

Marner out, Kadri in? It would be quite the turn of events, but there’s been no shortage of rumours about Kadri’s future in Calgary. GM Craig Conroy could consider approaching the 34-year-old Kadri, who currently owns a no-movement clause, and is under contract at $7 million AAV through the 2028-29 season.

Kadri recorded a team-leading 67 points in 82 games last season, including 35 goals. He’s a Stanley Cup winner, he would flourish under Craig Berube, and if Leafs Nation can forgive him for his last two playoff appearances in blue and white, it could be a perfect reunion heading into next season, and beyond. More importantly, however, the Flames have to be willing to do business with their old GM.

It’s going to come down to what the Leafs want to do with John Tavares. If he’s open to playing the wing full time, Kadri could be a perfect complement to Matthews as the second-line centre. If Tavares is sticking at centre, then Treliving will be focused on adding a winger, and not another centre in an already crowded middle of the ice in Toronto.

Nino Niederreiter, Winnipeg Jets

With Nik Ehlers off to Carolina, the Jets would need a return of some help on the wing if Niederreiter was moved, so perhaps Nick Robertson or Bobby McMann would be of interest. Niederreiter scored 17 goals last season, in a down year, and has the potential to bounce back in 2025-26.

The 6-foot-2 winger had a solid playoffs for the Jets, and plays a heavy game, landing 151 hits last season, something Berube would love to add more of. At $4 million for just two more years, it wouldn’t be a massive gamble for Treliving to add Niederreiter’s contract to the books. He doesn’t have any trade protection, which makes things easier, it’s just going to come down to what type of return Treliving is willing to offers Jets’ GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, and if Winnipeg is still going to be active on the free-agent market, with their remaining $19 million in cap space.