Evaluating One More Maple Leafs Trade Mad Lib?

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Evaluating One More Maple Leafs Trade Mad Lib?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Oct 7, 2026 1:42 PM ET

It’s easy to fall into a trap when a young, talented player might be available: start building the trade package before asking whether the player actually makes sense for your team. That’s what I kept thinking as I read that the Maple Leafs were interested in a Simon Edvinsson. Now, Edvinsson is an intriguing defenceman. He’s young, big, mobile, and already has NHL experience. If Detroit were genuinely willing to move him, Toronto would be right to take a look.

But if Ben Danford’s name gets floated as part of the price, I’m not sure the Maple Leafs should even consider it.

It’s Not a Problem Floating Danford’s Name in Trade Proposals

Danford is a prospect, so of course he belongs in trade conversations. No one should treat every young player as untouchable. But “he could be included” isn’t the same as “he should be included.” What does Toronto give up in Danford? What does Edvinsson add that the Maple Leafs don’t already have? How would he fit into the lineup? And is that fit good enough to justify adding a first-round pick and possibly a roster player, too?

That’s where the Fraser Minten comparison comes in. Maple Leafs fans have seen this kind of conversation before. A prospect gets labelled a trade chip, the player coming back sounds exciting, and suddenly the cost feels like a detail to work out later. Then the trade happens, and people start asking whether the team gave up too much. Or whether the player they traded could have helped them down the road.

Maybe Danford Gets Traded Because the Maple Leafs Value Right Now

Maybe Danford ends up in a deal someday. Or, maybe I’m missing how much the Maple Leafs are willing to mortgage the future for the present. In that respect, maybe Edvinsson would be worth it. But the article moves quickly from “Edvinsson might prefer a trade” to “the Leafs should capitalize,” without establishing that Detroit is ready to deal or that this particular package is sensible.

That doesn’t mean the idea is silly. It means the interesting question isn’t just whether Edvinsson is good. It’s whether he’s the right fit, at the right price, for Toronto. In this case, it doesn’t make sense to me.

NHL Trade Proposals Are Fun as Thought Projects

Trade proposals are fun. I’ve started thinking of some of these as Trade Mad Libs. Name a good player involved in a “thing” with another team. Add a prospect, a first-round pick and maybe a roster player, and fill in the blanks until it looks like a trade. The harder—and more useful—part is explaining why the Maple Leafs should make that deal, and what they’d be giving up to do it.

So, before we decide Danford is the price of doing business, I’d like to hear the case for why this is the business Toronto should be doing. So far, I have not.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: