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Details of Failed Blockbuster Trade Between the Maple Leafs and Blackhawks Leak Publicly

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 22, 2025 12:48 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks once almost had a blockbuster deal in place, and now we know the details of the failed trade that could have shaken up the foundation of the NHL.

A few years ago, Kyle Dubas was trying to save his job in Toronto, and after his Core Four kept failing, he was pushing for a blockbuster trade to shake up the Maple Leafs roster.

Not only that, but Toronto were looking to upgrade their goaltending, and now, Adam Wylde of SDPN has confirmed the details of a trade that almost went down between Kyle Dubas and Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks.

To Toronto:
Brandon Hagel
Marc-André Fleury (extended)
To Chicago:
Matthew Knies (rights)
Petr Mrázek
2022 Toronto 1st (top 10 protected) (Rinzel)
2023 Toronto 1st (top 10 protected) (Cowan. Nadeau?)

In hindsight, this would have been a solid trade for Toronto, as they would have gotten a proven goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury as well as someone that has blossomed into a star in Brandon Hagel, but in the process, would have given up Matthew Knies, who is in the process of becoming a star two-way forward in the NHL himself.

According to Wylde, it was President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan that nixed the deal, and while it's unclear exactly why he didn't want to make the deal, it caused Dubas to pivot and double down on the Core Four that has failed time and time again in the years since this potential deal.

Ultimately, both franchises have clearly moved on since this potential trade that could have been seen as a win-win at the time, but it certainly would have been an interesting trade that would have shaken up both rosters.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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