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Maple Leafs' Potential 'Hockey Trade' Plans Emerge on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 10:22 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to make roster changes to improve their middling results, but they won’t be crossing a certain line to do so.

Following Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during the "Saturday Headlines" segment that Toronto’s front office has resumed calls around the league to assess its trade options.

However, those efforts come with strict limitations on what the club is willing to give up, as Friedman outlined how the Leafs plan to approach the trade market.

“It's one of those weeks where everybody is sitting there waiting for something to happen,” Friedman said. “So, calling around, this is the best information I can share: I don't think they want to trade futures. I really don't believe they want to do that. And I include Easton Cowan in that group.”

"What I'm hearing is that they want to make hockey trades, roster for roster." @FriedgeHNIC's Saturday Headlines starts with a conversation about the Maple Leafs before chatting about the Jack Hughes injury, and more ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/7D8b4oOvbK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 16, 2025

Toronto dealt several high picks and top prospect Fraser Minten in 2025 deadline moves for Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton. With little remaining trade capital, Toronto is now exploring straight talent-for-talent moves, known as "hockey trades."

“They want to make hockey trades,” Friedman said. “They are exploring what on their roster has value, exactly what that value is, and if they can do something that way.”

Even with tensions rising after a five-game losing streak, the Leafs are drawing a firm line around their core. Friedman made clear that Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Toronto’s other top stars are not part of trade talks.

“We’re talking about other players on the roster,” Friedman said. “The top core players on the roster? No.”

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) carries the puck.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

On Friday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Friedman and co-host Kyle Bukauskas acknowledged the high price tag for impact players and the Leafs’ limited ability to meet those demands. Bukauskas added that Toronto no longer has the depth of assets to pull off a major deal.

“You’re either, the chips are in the middle of the poker table or you’re folding,” Bukauskas said.

Toronto, now 0-4-1 in its last five, returns to action Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET when it hosts the St. Louis Blues.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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