Toronto Makes a Depth Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a trade. They acquired forward Aatu Räty from the Vancouver Canucks. Heading to Vancouver are forwards Brandon Buhr and Jacob Quillan.

Räty (23) was placed on waivers on Wednesday and cleared Thursday. Thus, opening the door for the trade to Toronto. Räty has appeared in four games with Vancouver this season and scored one goal.

A native of Oulu, Finland, Räty has played 118 career NHL games with the Canucks and New York Islanders. He has registered 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points. Räty was originally selected by the Islanders in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Räty also brings championship experience. In 2025, he won the Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks, adding three assists in six games. Internationally, Räty has represented Finland at several levels.

Most recently, he helped his country capture gold at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, finishing with four goals and three assists in 10 games. He also owns a silver medal from the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship and another from the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Toronto Adds Aatu Räty

Toronto hopes a fresh start can help Räty. That fresh start is crucial, as he clearly ran out of time in Vancouver. Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet noted this situation in Thursday’s edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. He highlighted Räty’s incompatibility with Manny Malhotra’s coaching philosophy.

“He wants to play, and it’s very clear that it’s not working out with him and Manny Malhotra,” Friedman said.

Toronto GM John Chayka likely sees the potential for Räty to become a solid 3rd line center, adding depth down the middle. That’s something the club doesn’t have much of. Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Teddy Blueger, and Nick Paul have taken most of the load this season. But if someone were to get injured, the NHL depth is pretty thin.

For now, Räty will likely join the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. He will get to play top-six minutes with them. If and when an injury happens on the main roster, that is when he’ll get his chance.

Vancouver Happy to Add More Depth

Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson is happy to add more depth. He also thanked Räty for his time in Vancouver.

“We want to thank Aatu for all he has done for the organization, and we wish him well in Toronto. By acquiring Jacob and Brandon, this move gives our group two new young players to work with as we continue to look for ways to improve our overall depth.” 

Quillan signed his entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on April 1st, 2024, and has played 24 NHL games, all with Toronto, recording three points (one goal, two assists) and two penalty minutes. Buhr signed his entry-level deal on March 18, 2026, then played five games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) at the end of the 2025-26 season, notching two assists.