The Toronto Maple Leafs are among the NHL’s top teams and are expected to strengthen their roster before the March 7 trade deadline.
A fan using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool suggested a major trade between the Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche involving three players:
Maple Leafs receive:
- Casey Mittelstadt
Avalanche receive:
- Max Domi
- Easton Cowan
- 2025 second-round pick
This trade would provide Toronto with a much-needed third-line center but at the cost of their top prospect, Cowan. While the deal may seem like an overpayment for the Maple Leafs, it would also help them move Domi’s contract, which adds to the price they’d have to pay.
Mittelstadt is in the first year of a three-year, $17.25 million contract with Colorado. He was traded to the Avalanche at last year’s deadline and has since been involved in trade discussions. If acquired, he could slot in as Toronto’s second- or third-line center, depending on John Tavares’ placement. So far this season, Mittelstadt has recorded 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points in 61 games.
On the other hand, Colorado would receive Cowan, Toronto’s top prospect, who is expected to make his NHL debut next season and projects as a middle-six forward.
Additionally, the Maple Leafs would part with Domi, who is in the first year of a four-year, $15 million contract. Although a fan favorite, Domi has struggled in Toronto, and his contract may be one the team is looking to move.
Maple Leafs GM Wants to ‘Help’ Team at Deadline
The Toronto Maple Leafs sit atop the Atlantic Division and are considered a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season.
With the March 7 trade deadline approaching, the team is looking to strengthen its roster to maximize its championship chances.
“I am happy with where the group is at,” said Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving. “I’m not going to get into a whole lot about the deadline, other than to say we’re going to try to help ourselves. We want to try to improve our team. That’s pretty breaking news there, isn’t it? … We would certainly like to help ourselves. We will see how things play out.”
Despite Toronto’s strong playoff position, Treliving cautioned fans that a major move isn’t guaranteed, though he remains focused on making the team better.
“It is a long way of saying that I like our team. I would like to see if we can make it better by Friday than it is today.” The Maple Leafs currently hold a 38-20-3 record, leading the Atlantic Division.
Avalanche Willing to Trade Mittelstadt
Colorado traded Bowen Byram for Casey Mittelstadt at last year’s deadline, but the forward could already be on the move again.
Mittelstadt hasn’t meshed as well as the Avalanche had hoped and currently sits sixth on Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli’s trade bait board ahead of the deadline.
“Given that both Mittelstadt and Bowen Byram are on our Targets board, it’s fair to say that neither side has been enthralled with the one-for-one swap that was one of the true surprises of Deadline 2024,” Seravalli wrote. “Unlike Byram, Mittelstadt is at least under contract for two more seasons, providing some cost certainty. However, he hasn’t been the best fit or as productive in Jared Bednar’s lineup, and we’re told the Avalanche are open to making a move if the right deal comes along.”