Toronto Maple Leafs: Who could be traded in 2025–26?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for the start of the 2025–26 NHL season, starting a new era. The Leafs are no longer a team of the core four and are most likely entering the season with the current roster they have.

While the Leafs do have some cap space, they will probably be looking for another top-six forward or another top-pairing offensive defenceman. These will not come cheap and will probably require a massive trade.

Several roster players have come up as possible trade options, each for different reasons, but if they are looking to move someone, it will be for a significant upgrade. Let’s discuss.

David Kampf

David Kampf has been a prominent name in trade talks during the offseason. With the acquisition of Scott Laughton during last season’s trade deadline and Nicolas Roy joining in the Mitch Marner trade, Kampf’s place as a bottom-six centre is vulnerable on the team.

Although his career face-off percentage and penalty-killing ability are impressive and a help to the team, his $2.4M cap hit through to the 2026–27 season is rather high for a player in his role. There have been continuous rumours that he remains one of the names on the offseason summer trade watchlist, with his cap hit likely narrowing interest. While the Leafs still have nearly $2M in cap space available, moving off of Kampf would be beneficial to fill a roster spot elsewhere.

Calle Jarnkrok

Calle Jarnkrok is another veteran winger who has seen his name in trade rumours this offseason. Struggling with injury issues, he only played 19 games last season; his goal totals and minutes were on the decline.

Although he is known for his two-way play and his ability to play up and down the lineup, the combination of a $2.1M salary and a one-year contract makes him a likely salary dump in the event of a beneficial trade, which could be helpful to any team looking for a dependable middle-six forward.

Nick Robertson

For Nick Robertson, the pressure this season is high, and this is his make-or-break season. He’s entering a crowded forward lineup where he has to earn his spot and prove the value of his one-year, $1.825M extension.

With a deep group of forwards and increased expectations after Mitch Marner’s departure, Robertson has a choice: play your way into the lineup or struggle and find yourself on the trade block early in the season. The smaller forward could be moved if his play doesn’t live up to expectations.

Morgan Rielly

Morgan Rielly is the longest-serving Leaf on this roster and has become a household name amongst this fanbase. While he has been the anchor of this Leafs team, his value and play have come into question. Coming off some of his best point totals, he has slowed down in the last couple of seasons.

Rielly could be on his way if discussions of making a big-ticket blueline acquisition, such as Mikhail Sergachev or Dougie Hamilton, start to come out. Rielly’s no-trade clause and the rest of the perceived value could come in the way and make a move significantly more difficult.

Changes ahead

Several players, Calle Jarnkrok, Nick Robertson, and David Kampf, are the most likely trade targets in the 2025–26 season. Their combination of salary, ambiguous role, and trade visibility puts them as the most prominent trade pieces on this roster.

Morgan Rielly could be a less likely trade candidate, but only if a more significant top defenceman becomes available and the team is willing to offload one of its long-time core members.

While all eyes are headed towards training camp, trade sentiment on the team may grow as the season progresses.