Like a city needs its hero during its darkest hours, Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly need Brad Marchand to address a key issue after Mitch Marner’s departure. Well, not Marchand directly, but rather a former longtime teammate of his.
Out of every player in the NHL, Marchand would’ve been the very last place where the Maple Leafs would search for signs of hope. Yet, time has passed, and much has changed. The Leafs did show interest in signing the former Boston Bruins’ captain, yet the Florida Panthers made sure the veteran didn’t become an UFA.
However, there is still a way in which the Bruins and Marchand could be slightly involved in helping out Matthews and the Leafs. As shocking as that last sentence might sound.
Hoping to address the potential scoring drought caused by Marner‘s departure, Toronto is exploring trade candidates for its forward group. On that note, it might take a defenseman leaving for a forward to arrive. Reports suggest that blueliner could very well be Brandon Carlo, the former Bruin and trade-deadline acquisition.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins and Brandon Carlo #25 look on during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on December 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts
“If the Leafs move a defenseman it’ll likely only be one of [Brandon Carlo and Morgan Rielly]. [Carlo] could be part of a deal that adds some scoring to the forward group,” insider Nick Kypreos said, via Sportsnet.
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NHL News: Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov sets record straight on trade request amid interest from Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs
Short stay
Carlo was traded by the Bruins to the Maple Leafs on March 7, in exchange for Fraser Minten, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL entry Draft (which turned into Vashek Blanar), and a conditional first-round pick in 2026.
Carlo appeared in 20 games for the Maple Leafs during the final stretch of the regular season, recording only 3 assists. He played in all 13 of Toronto’s postseason outings, but failed to post a single point.
Who could arrive to aid the Leafs’ forward group?
The Maple Leafs haven’t shied away from making moves, even after shipping Marner away to Las Vegas. After acquiring Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto has seen another name emerge.
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to play against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic at BMO Field On January 1, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade out of the organization who drafted him in the first round in 2019. The 24-year-old could take his production to new heights by joining forces with Matthews and company. However, the Blue Jackets aren’t exactly thrilled to part ways with him.
“He’s under contract. If he shows up with the right attitude, there’s no issue. I’m surprised his agent went public. But I’m not surprised because we’ve talked about it,” Columbus GM Don Waddell admitted, per The Athletic. “He has value. I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him.”
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NHL News: Elias Pettersson’s Canucks and Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs reportedly going from trade partners to competitors for free agent
Beg to differ
If the Leafs were to ask Chinakhov and his agent, Shumi Babaev, the answer would be much more encouraging for their hopes of adding the Russian forward.
“I don’t think there’s any way he can stay in Columbus. I don’t see any way. Chinakhov is comfortable with this team. He’s comfortable with the city. But he’s not comfortable with this coach. It’s all about the coach,” Chinakhov’s agent, Babaev, told The Athletic.
SurveyWhich of the two would you rather the Leafs part ways with?
Which of the two would you rather the Leafs part ways with?
As is often the case, chaos and drama are brewing in the NHL — and the Maple Leafs might be caught up in the middle of it. Whether they can actually work out a deal with the Blue Jackets, though, is a whole other story.