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Elliotte Friedman Links Toronto Maple Leafs to Former Conn Smythe Winner in Big Offseason Trade

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 19, 2025 4:44 PM ET

Top NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman has suggested that the Toronto Maple Leafs could look into acquiring former playoff MVP Jonathan Marchessault, currently with the Nashville Predators.

The latest Game 7 meltdown by the Toronto Maple Leafs is in the books, as they failed to get past the divisional foe Florida Panthers despite having won the opening pair of games in the series.

They not only lost 3 straight games, but also gave their fans false hope with a 2-0 win in Game 6 to set up the decisive Game 7, in which they would be thoroughly outplayed and outclassed in nearly every conceivable way in a 6-1 loss.

The work now begins for general manager Brad Treliving on what he wants his club to look like for next season, and it could very well be a roster without one or both of Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

While top NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman suggested that the Maple Leafs could try and take a run at longtime nemesis Brad Marchand in free agency, he also floated another potential that would bring in a notable player; except this would have to be via trade.

Friedman speculated that former 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Marchessault, who is now with the Nashville Predators, could be considered by Treliving.

I want to say I'm throwing this purely at the wall, I'm doing this with no knowledge, I don't even know if the player would want to do this: Jonathan Marchessault. Again, I freely admit it's purely off the top of my head.
A tough year in Nashville; they need to make some changes. He's 34 years old, 4 more years, fierce competitor.

Marchessault signed a 5 year contract with the Predators with an AAV (average annual value) of $5.5 million. But he and the rest of the Predators had a truly disappointing year, missing the postseason despite adding him along with Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei.

Marchessault does have a no-trade clause in his contract, which he would need to agree to waive to facilitate a potential trade to the Leafs. But as Friedman admitted, it was pure speculation on his part.

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

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