Reply To: Leafs Draft and Free Agency 2026

May 22, 2026 at 4:38 pm #73265

Participant

senstrolltwo wrote:

SJ can take one of the D, but i dont see that player making a difference for a few years. looking at the top 10,you can go back to 2020 and maybe 1 Dman has turned into a top pairing D. (Sanderson)
They might be better off trying to trade the pick for a more established D to step in now

San Jose and Chicago are way more likely to be looking to acquire current star players like Matthews and Nylander than they are any kind of 18 year old that isn’t a generational talent. This draft has zero obvious, consensus generational talents.

Matthews to San Jose works if the right pieces come back to the Leafs like Smith or Misa + an unprotected 2027 1st and 2nd overall as a starting point. If the Leafs retain 50% salary (which they definitely should) that price increases. That price also increases when other contenders catch wind of the opportunity to get Matthews @ 50% retained.

Nylander could accept a trade to Chicago considering his dad did play there so he might have some familiarity with the market. It’s pretty similar to Toronto in terms of being a total shit city run by morons ravaged by crime and corruption so he might find it exciting and easy to score his nose candy. Chicago could give up #4 + an unprotected 2027 1st round pick and at least one other top prospect or asset.

Leafs then trade down 1st overall with Vanpoover for 3rd overall and acquire 24th overall (JP Hurlbert).

Or trade the 1st from Colorado+ for 25th overall to draft the Ruck twins.

Leafs draft Stenberg #2, Malhotra #3 and Reid or Verhoeff #4.

Plus, Misa (or Smith) and have two 2027 1st round picks that could be lottery picks if San Jose or Chicago fall flat on their faces.

Trade OEL, Tanev (retained), McCabe, Carlo and Tavares at the trade deadline for five 1st round picks.

Acquire bad contracts for 1st round picks.

2027 1st (San Jose) | Reid (Verhoeff)
1st (McCabe) | 1st (OEL)
1st (Carlo) | Danford

Rebuild. Hard.