Trade Targets: 2 Los Angeles Kings trade candidates for Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings have pulled off some significant trades in the past, and could we see another big one coming before the 2025 NHL trade deadline?

The Kings appear to be in the market for some help up front, and have several interesting trade candidates for Brad Treliving and company to consider. Any move with the Kings feels like it has a blockbuster scent, and here’s a couple of trade candidates to consider from sunny California:

Brandt Clarke

Clarke is one of the best defensive prospects in the league, and he has all the tools to be a top-pairing offensive force. He’s a smooth skater, sees the ice extremely well, and his hockey IQ would mix perfectly with the Maple Leafs top power-play unit, which has been rather inconsistent all season long.

The 22-year-old is part of a crowded Kings’ blueline and the former first-round pick has been in and out of the lineup this season. Clarke is still on his entry-level contract and would make life a little bit easier for Treliving to acquire financially, as the Leafs barely have any cap space at the moment, just days away from the deadline.

This is a trade where you move Easton Cowan for Clarke, and you bring in a core piece for your blue line, which hasn’t been said for quite some time in Toronto, especially someone this young. Clarke has posted 25 points through 55 points prior to Wednesday’s action, and in the right situation, the sky is the limit. With the Kings looking for scoring on the wing, makes you wonder if they have interest in California native Nick Robertson, who has been playing much better of late.

Quinton Byfield

This would be a very complicated trade admittedly, as Byfield’s $6.25 million AAV would be hard to navigate for Treliving and the Leafs, but adding a 22-year-old who is locked up long term, with the salary cap rising, and a ton of untapped potential in his game would be a coup.

While the Kings locked up Byfield long-term last summer, they didn’t give him any trade protection through his deal, which expires after the 2028-29 season.

Byfield has been linked to some trade talks throughout this season, so it would be interesting to see how significant of a package GM Rob Blake would be looking for to pull the trigger. Byfield has recorded 11 goals and 34 points in 50 games, and showed last season as a 21-year-old, he has top-six talent, posting 20 goals and 55 points in 80 games.

The 2026 first-round pick would be in play here, likely Max Domi to help balance the money out, and one of Fraser Minten or Cowan. Byfield’s a ‘hockey trade’ candidate, and it’s going to take a massive haul for Blake to strongly consider finalizing the deal.

Byfield would give the Leafs a core piece that can help push the next generation in Toronto alongside Matthew Knies. He contributes on both sides of special teams, he’s improving in the faceoff circle, and he’s only going to get strong and harder to play against. Playing for Craig Berube would do wonders for Byfield’s game, he’s certainly an ‘off the board’ target for the Maple Leafs, but one that could have lasting impacts on the franchise for years to come.