The Toronto Maple Leafs will be active ahead of the trade deadline, with one trade proposal involving adding a star forward.
PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool allows users to make their own transactions. One user requested that the Maple Leafs acquire Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Maple Leafs acquired:
Rickard Rakell
2026 second-round pick (Saint Louis)
Penguins obtain San Jose’s 2026 third-round pick.
Fraser Minten
Max Domi: 2026 first-round pick.
The suggested trade would be intriguing, with Toronto acquiring Rakell as well as two draft picks in exchange for a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a fan favorite forward.
Rakell is in the third year of his six-year, $30 million contract. The centerman can play as Toronto’s second or third-line center, adding more offense to the team. Rakell has 48 points (25 goals, 23 assists) in 56 games. He would offer much-needed scoring to the Maple Leafs’ middle six, which has struggled in the playoffs.
In exchange, Toronto would give up a first-round pick and Minten, one of the team’s top prospects. Minten was taken in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He has played 15 games for the Maple Leafs this season, scoring two goals and two assists for a total of four points.
Toronto would also trade Domi, a popular forward who has underperformed this season. Domi is in the first year of a four-year, $15 million contract. The forward might replace Rakell in the Penguins’ lineup. Domi has played 47 games this season, scoring three goals and 17 assists for a total of 20 points.
Rakell is a Top Trade Candidate
Rakell’s name has surfaced in trade talks as the Penguins remain outside of the playoffs.
Rakell is ranked second on The Athletic’s trade list ahead of the March 7 deadline, indicating that he will likely be sold.
“Well on his way to topping 30 goals and 60 points this season, Rakell may be the most productive offensive player available ahead of this deadline,” according to the article. “The right-handed winger is an above-average finisher who has proven to be competitive when paired with highly skilled teammates. With three years remaining on his deal after this one, the usual caveats apply: The Penguins are not required to sell Rakell right now, but they would be willing to do so if the return helped them achieve their organizational aim of becoming younger. He signed an exceedingly affordable contract in a rising cap scenario.”
Given that Rakell still has several years on his contract, he will be heavily sought after by several organizations.
Maple Leafs GM Wants to Improve Roster
With Toronto as one of the NHL’s top teams, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is expected to be aggressive.
Treliving says he’ll look into what’s available and the cost. But he claims he’s looking for ways to improve the roster.
“You’re always watching, and I know a lot is made of the deadline. But you are always looking for ways to better your team. “And it isn’t always just external,” Treliving explained. “The one thing about injuries this year and the number of injuries we’ve had up front is that we’ve had an opportunity to evaluate ourselves internally, which is crucial. We’ve seen several people step up and play well. It provides you a small idea of what you have within the business.”
The Maple Leafs are 33-20-2 and are second in the Atlantic Division.