Maple Leafs & Jets emerging as potential trade partners

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets could wind up doing some business together ahead of this season’s trade deadline, and it has everything to do with depth on defence, and the Jets’ disappointing year.

Winnipeg exited Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Leafs with a 19-22-6 record, sitting second last in the Western Conference, and with the Maple Leafs in the market to upgrade on their blueline, these two teams could quickly realize they align as trade partners.

As far as who could be involved, the Maple Leafs could have interest in one of Logan Stanley or Luke Schenn from the Jets, or potentially, both. Let’s start with the 6-foot-7 Stanley, a former first-round pick, the rugged blueliner is having a career season, recording eight goals and 15 points through his first 45 games.

The towering Stanley is a presence on the ice and would give the Leafs another defenceman who doesn’t mind using his body, blocking shots, or dropping the gloves when called upon to protect himself or his teammates. Stanley is logging 16:15 of ice-time per game and primarily plays 5-on-5, however, given his long reach, and willingness to eat pucks, Craig Berube could see him as an option for the Leafs’ second penalty-kill unit.

Stanley’s two-way game has always been underrated, he’s a fluid skater, and finally this season he’s broken out, creeping closer to double digits in goals. He has a booming slap shot and has been able to get it off more this season, resulting in him chipping in with some much-needed secondary scoring, which is likely one of the many reasons he’s seeing more ice-time.

Stanley is a pending unrestricted free agent, and is set to hit the open market for the first time, so it’s likely he sees it through and hears from other teams on July 1st. This could be a pure rental addition, however, at 27 years old and coming into his own with his unique skill set and towering presence, Stanley could be someone Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving considers keeping around.

Winnipeg would be wise to sell high on Stanley, so if there’s a bidding war, I’d expect the Leafs would likely pass on paying a steep price. But, if Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff keeps his price tag reasonable of a couple of prospects, or mid-round draft picks, perhaps the Maple Leafs could make an offer involving their 2026 third-round pick and perhaps a b-level forward prospect.

Another route that Treliving could consider is moving on from Simon Benoit and shipping him to Winnipeg. He’s been inconsistent, he brings a lot of the same style of play as Stanley, and with him being under contract for next season at $1.3 million, perhaps the Jets, who are looking to retool and not rebuild, would consider giving Benoit a shot as a cheaper alternative to re-signing Stanley long term, at a much higher AAV.

Could Luke Schenn come back for a third stint?

Recently there’s been lots of speculation that the Maple Leafs are considering bringing back Schenn for another stint. Schenn, 36, has been in and out of the Jets lineup of late, including being healthy scratched in Toronto, in what would have been his 1,100 career NHL game. Perhaps there’s a sour taste in his mouth and given the Jets are out of it, Cheveldayoff could be doing right by his veteran and moving him into a situation he’s comfortable with for a playoff chase.

Schenn, like Stanley, is a pending unrestricted free agent, however, Schenn’s owed $2.7 million annually, and if Treliving does pounce here, the hope is that Winnipeg would be open to retaining some of his cap hit to give the Leafs more flexibility to add up front as well. Treliving can’t go into this trade deadline, add Schenn at full price, and expect to move the needle.

Schenn has slowed down as time has passed, but he’s still as defensively sound as they come and is an intimidating presence on the ice, while being an absolute perfect teammate off the ice. He’d be a huge upgrade for Toronto over Philippe Myers and even Benoit, for that matter. And, with Chris Tanev potentially missing the entire season, Schenn can fill in that role for the Leafs.

TSN’s Chris Johnston recently commented on the potential of Schenn once again ending up in blue and white, and was wise to point out he’s played well with Morgan Rielly in the past.

“There’s already some rumblings around that they’re even looking at a third trip through with Luke Schenn right now,” he said. “Obviously at this stage of Luke’s career, I think that the acquisition cost would be more modest and worked really well with him and Morgan Rielly. So we’ll see if that’s something that comes to fruition, but certainly have heard some talk in that direction.”

Adding Schenn would cost just a late-round pick, but again, considering his cap hit, and the Leafs lack of cap space prior to the trade deadline, Treliving will need to get creative in order to add and fill gaps on his roster, while also leaving flexibility to make multiple moves. Ideally, ahead of the trade deadline Toronto adds at least one defenceman and somehow lands a top-six forward.

Keep an eye on the Maple Leafs and Jets, as two of Canada’s teams could be doing some business together. With the Olympic roster freeze less than a month away, this business could be coming sooner, than later.