In a 2024-25 development that seems like it came straight from the Twilight Zone, the Boston Bruins are rumoured to be selling at the trade deadline. They’re two points out of a playoff race in the Eastern Conference that’s as wide open as it gets, but their overall record of 28-26-8 hasn’t inspired a lot of hope that this team will be able to go on a meaningful run this postseason. Thus, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has hinted that the team will be looking to sell off some pieces at the deadline and indicated that the team has at least had conversations about how to move forward with players like longtime star Brad Marchand.
Although no Toronto Maple Leafs fan will admit it, the thought of adding the pesky Bruin to their roster at the deadline is surreal, especially after hearing how highly Marchand spoke of Mitch Marner when the two were teammates at the 4 Nations Face-Off. But I’ll save you some time. Quote me on this right now: I’ll write about how I was wrong if it plays out this way, but there is zero chance the Bruins will trade Marchand to the Leafs at the deadline. Divisional trades are already few and far between, let alone mid-season, and asking the Bruins to trade a core piece of their franchise to one of their most heated rivals is the equivalent of the Montreal Canadiens trying to swing a deal for William Nylander at the deadline.
All of this being said, a Leafs/Bruins trade is not impossible. It may have been 14 years since the two teams swung a deal, but it’s not impossible. After all, the Leafs acquired Tomas Plekanec from the Montreal Canadiens back in 2017-18. Plekanec wasn’t to the Habs what Marchand is to the Bruins in terms of ability at the time of the trade, but he was still a foundational piece of their team for well over a decade. And, funnily enough, the Leafs are in the market for a Plekanec type of addition this week. While it’s all but certain that Marchand won’t be dangled as a trade piece, especially not in front of the Leafs, let’s examine both teams and see if there’s any possibility for a deal to be made here.
What does Boston have?
To me, the most appealing name on the Bruins roster who could be available is Trent Frederic. Boston’s first-round pick in 2016 is currently in his fifth full NHL season, and while it’s fair to say that he hasn’t become the top-six mainstay they were hoping for, he’s still proven to be a valuable bottom-six forward who can keep his head above water in the top six. His numbers in 2024-25 aren’t inspiring, with only eight goals and 17 points in 55 games, but it’s extremely possible that this is just an effect of playing for a bad team. You would have thought Jake McCabe was one of the worst defencemen in the league based on some reactions when they traded him, and two years later, he’s one-half of one of the best shutdown pairs in the league.
With 18 and 17 goals in his last two seasons, respectively, it’s fair to say that Frederic has more to bring than what he’s offered up this year. Pair that with the fact that he’s big, standing at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, and plays with a mean streak that opponents dread facing, and he really does seem like a match made in heaven. He’s second on the Bruins in hits this season with 155, which would put him first on the Leafs in that category, and he plays up the middle. The primary knock is that he’s a pending unrestricted free agent, but with a cap hit of only $2.3 million and the possibility of Fraser Minten being ready for bottom-six duties next season, it probably works out better for the Leafs that way.
There’s also Justin Brazeau, which would make for a funny story, considering he started his career with the Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound winger has ten goals and 20 points in 56 games this season, but if the Leafs pull off a trade for their former prospect, it would have to be a secondary add, considering their need lies up the middle.
On defence, it’s fair to suggest that someone like Andrew Peeke could be of interest, considering he’s a physical, defence-first, and right-handed, and he also has term on his deal. Still, the fact that he has more than a year left likely gives the Bruins all the more reason to charge them a premium, so I’d expect the Leafs to address that issue elsewhere.
What does Toronto have?
Simply put, they have Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, a bunch of C-level prospects, and a first-round pick next season. You can forget about them parting with Cowan or Minten for any pending UFA unless it’s somebody like Mikko Rantanen. So, if there’s a deal to be made here, a mix of some of those C-level prospects and some mid-round picks are probably the foundation of the return. Think names like Roni Hirvonen, Ryan Tverberg, or one of their goaltending prospects between Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov.
They also have a number of NHL forwards who are ‘on the cusp’ and have been floated in trade proposals previously, including Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg. But with some extremely strong play ahead of Friday’s deadline, it’s entirely possible that Treliving is reconsidering dangling those players. Robertson specifically has turned up the heat offensively lately, playing an instrumental part in the Maple Leafs’ comeback win against the Bruins last week, and if there’s a world where he can combine his relentless work ethic with his dangerous shot on a consistent basis, it’s clear Treliving would prefer to keep that in-house. But the deadline isn’t always fair to everybody, so he’ll have to seriously consider all of his options.
Is it possible?
Short answer, yes, but I wouldn’t expect it. The trade market has been extremely quiet following the Rantanen deal, mostly because there are so many teams who are still in the playoff hunt, so sellers are apprehensive about getting rid of their trade pieces without a good return. Combine this with the fact that the Leafs are a division rival of the Bruins, and it wouldn’t at all be out of the question to see Sweeney charge them a first-round pick for somebody like Frederic. And, if there’s a world where the Leafs are trading a first-round pick for an upgrade in the middle six, they’d certainly prefer it to be for somebody with term, to the effect of Brayden Schenn in St. Louis or Scott Laughton in Philadelphia.
That being said, the deadline is all about keeping people on the toes, and who knows? Maybe Sweeney will ease up on the price a little bit and turn his attention from maxing out his value on his UFAs to just getting anything for them, assuming the alternative is having them walk in free agency. So, who knows? It’s happened before, and both teams have the pieces to make it happen again.
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies entered Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights with vengeance evidently on his mind.
Knies dropped the gloves to fight Golden Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud after the opening faceoff, four seconds into the game. It’s clear that Knies was trying to avenge an incident from November 20, where Whitecloud dropped Knies with a legal, high hit. Knies suffered an upper-body injury as a result of the play, he was ruled out of the contest and missed 10 days of action.
“I put myself in a tough scenario. I was just trying to get the puck in and you gotta keep your head up. I’m kind of upset that it led me to getting hurt, but it happens in hockey. He apologized to me. I don’t think he’s intending to hurt me,” Knies told TSN’s Mark Masters on November 29.
Whitecloud was not asked about the hit on Knies after the previous game.
Although Knies appeared to understand that Whitecloud had no ill intention during the previous game, it was still enough to get him to drop the gloves immediately.
Here is the fight, where Knies landed a flurry of left-handed punches, before attempting to wrestle Whitecloud to the ice.
KNIES AND WHITECLOUD DROP THE GLOVES TO START THE GAMEpic.twitter.com/baTUQ3uiqI
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 6, 2025
Knies plays with a physical presence, but he’s not known for his fighting ability. It’s clear that he was still upset about Whitecloud’s hit from the November 20 game, and took it into his own hands, quite literally.
It was a one-off incident, as the Maple Leafs and Golden Knights resumed the first period without further hostility. Knies has emerged as an essential part of the Maple Leafs and there was reason to be briefly concerned about him getting into a fight, but both players emerged unscathed. The 22-year-old is expected to be untouchable ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, as the Maple Leafs value his scoring touch, physicality and ability to get the net-front with ease, both at 5-on-5 and on the power play.
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed forward Ryan Reaves on waivers, according to multiple sources. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli was first to report.
Reaves has recorded two assists in 35 games for the Maple Leafs and hasn’t carved out a meaningful role on the fourth line. The 38-year-old signed a three-year contract worth $4.05 million with the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2023. Toronto has controlled just 42 percent of the expected goals when he’s on the ice at 5-on-5, and Alex Steeves, Steven Lorentz, Connor Dewar and Max Pacioretty have all proven to be better fits in a bottom-six role this season.
Servalli reports that at least one team will be using waivers to facilitate a larger move, and the Maple Leafs fit that description, during what’s been an inactive deadline to date. Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has reportedly inquired about Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson and Scott Laughton among other targets.
Toronto is effectively waiving Reaves’ $1.35 million cap hit for the time being, which would come off the books entirely if another team claimed him, an unlikely development at this stage of his career. If Reaves were demoted to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, after clearing waivers, the Maple Leafs would clear $1.15 million in cap space, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reports.
Reaves was suspended for five games earlier this season for an illegal hit to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse.
Toronto needs to make a move to maximize its win-now window, and placing Reaves on waivers is a clever solution that will afford Treliving some agility in trying to strike a deal. Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Matthew Knies all require new contracts so this season may be the best shot at a Stanley Cup, while the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have both made significant upgrades to their rosters throughout the week.
More to come.
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
A potential Toronto Maple Leafs trade target may be leaving the board.
According to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, talks are intensifying for the Carolina Hurricanes to send Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars.
Friedman’s report came in the early hours of Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline. The Hurricanes originally acquired Rantanen, 28, in a three-way trade that sent Martin Necas to the Colorado Avalanche in return.
Plenty of rumours made the rounds this week that the Canes were exploring their options for potentially moving Rantanen once it became clear to them that he wouldn’t be signing an extension in Carolina.
According to Friedman, the Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Los Angeles Kings were among the teams that were “very interested” in acquiring Rantanen. Here is what Friedman wrote at the time:
The return on the trade is not yet known, but we will be sure to update this article when word breaks. Friedman did also add that the status of an extension between Rantanen and Dallas is not yet known.
Be sure to keep it locked on TLN for all of your NHL Trade Deadline needs. We’ll have plenty of analysis, live blogs, and much more to keep you covered all day long!
Check out our article on what it might have taken for the Leafs to acquire Rantanen by clicking here!
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
The Toronto Maple Leafs took to the ice Friday afternoon for practice as the final minutes leading up to this year’s NHL trade deadline ticked down. Trade anxiety was in the air as practice took place at the University of Denver ahead of Saturday night’s matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, continuing a three-game southwest road trip.
Chris Tanev continued to practice with the team Friday as he recovers from an upper-body injury. The veteran defenceman has been sidelined since February 25th when he exited against the Boston Bruins early after taking a rough hit from John Beecher. After the game, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reported that Tanev left the rink with his right arm in a sling and has since been listed as day-to-day.
Connor Dewar left practice early after allegedly taking a bad high stick, though it inevitably led to some trade speculation as it happened just as the clock reached 3pm.
Minutes later, Conor Timmins was also called off the ice and the flood gates really broke open. In the following hour, it was confirmed both had been dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the three-team deal that sent defenceman Brandon Carlo to Toronto from the Bruins.
Ryan Reaves did not practice with the team after being placed on waivers Thursday, then clearing earlier Friday, for the purposes of freeing up cap space ahead of the deadline.
It is not yet confirmed who will get the start in net Saturday night after Joseph Woll was pulled in the first against the Golden Knights on Wednesday after giving up three goals on seven shots, leaving Anthony Stolarz to play the rest of the game. The Leafs have recently been alternating starts, and with back-to-back poor starts from Woll, it does point to Stolarz being the prime candidate.
With multiple new players on their way to Toronto, and some shipping out, it remains to be seen how the team lines up for Saturday night’s contest against the Avalanche. However, head coach Craig Berube said that Carlo and newly-acquired Scott Laughton will for sure be in the lineup if they can get to Colorado in time.
In the meantime, here’s how the Leafs lined up at practice Friday, per David Alter:
Forwards
Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg – John Tavares – William Nylander
Bobby McMann – Max Domi – Nic Robertson
Steven Lorentz – David Kämpf – Calle Järnkrok
Connor Dewar
Defence
Morgan Rielly – Phillipe Myers
Jake McCabe – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit – Conor Timmins
Chris Tanev
Goalies
Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Reese Johnson from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for future considerations on Friday.
Johnson played in three games for the Wild this season and did not record a point. The 26-year-old has primarily spent the season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild, where he notched four goals and 13 points in 49 games. It’s unlikely that Johnson will contest for a roster spot with the Maple Leafs this season. Johnson spent the majority of his professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he posted two goals and five points in 42 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
The trade capped off a busy deadline day, where the Maple Leafs acquired Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers, a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin. Philadelphia will retain 50 percent of Laughton’s $3 million cap hit, and he’s under contract through the 2025-26 season.
Toronto also acquired defenceman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected), the Flyers’ 2025 fourth-round pick and Fraser Minten. Boston will retain 15 percent of Carlo’s salary.
“With (Chris) Tanev out the last week or so, we just wanted to make sure we had that type of profile and try to spread those minutes around a little bit more,” Treliving said Friday during his media availability. “I think the D has done a really good job this year. We wanted to add some help with some experience as well as at the center-ice position and give us some depth there. Both players do.”
After accounting for the new deadline acquisitions, the Maple Leafs hold $195,332 in cap space via PuckPedia, which is likely why they acquired Johnson, as a cost-effective option, who is a pending restricted free agent.
For the rest of Friday’s deadline’s day action, make sure to check out The Leafs Nation’s comprehensive trade deadline live blog.
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
One of the greatest competitors in the octagon is giving some props (and some critique) to one of the Toronto Maple Leafs blueliners.
During the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 shootout win over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night, Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit engaged in fisticuffs with Utah defender Michael Kesserling…not six seconds after Benoit was credited with his first goal of the season.
When the two squared up, Benoit decided to immediately erase the distance between him and Kesserling with a superman punch. Benoit was able to make contact, but not enough to knock down his counterpart.
The fight went viral across social media, and three-time UFC champion Georges St-Pierre chimed in and offered some advice to Benoit.
“Superman Punch in the NHL last night,” St-Pierre wrote. “He missed the target because he telegraphed too much, but the picture is awesome.”
Superman Punch in the NHL last night.
He missed the target because he telegraphed too much but the picture is awesome.pic.twitter.com/WHGcUfX5Us
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) March 11, 2025
It’s strange to see GSP offering knockout advice, given that only eight of his 26 mixed martial arts victories came via knockout.
It wasn’t the first time Benoit tried to leap and punch his opponent in the face. In December 2023, in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Benoit tried the maneuver against Erik Gudbranson with minimal success once again.
“I think just in the moment I felt I had an opening there, and I just took it,” Benoit said about his tilt with Kesserling. “Gudbranson. He’s a bit taller, though, and it was harder,
Kesserling didn’t have much of a problem with Benoit’s plan of attack either. When speaking to the media after the game, he admitted it was all part of the battle.
“That was a little interesting,” Kesserling said. “But whatever, it’s a fight right? You sign up for it. You know something’s coming, so it’s all good.”
According to HockeyFights.com, that was the 16th fighting major of Benoit’s NHL career. He also dropped the mitts last month with Oliver Bjorkstrand when he was a member of the Seattle Kraken.
Through 60 games, Benoit has 46 penalty minutes, a little behind his career-high 60 PIMs in 78 games during the 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks.
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