The Toronto Maple Leafs could revisit a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets as they hold two pieces that could interest John Chayka's win-now mentality.
The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets are no strangers to one another especially after th blockbuster deal that sent Matthew Knies to Ohio in exchange for Kirill Marchenko. It's a deal that works out for both sides, and only time can really tell us who won in the end.
But the Maple Leafs aren't exactly done making changes as the team wants to not only add some help defensively but also add another scoring presence while also not sacrificing the speed and youth they added.
There's going to be a few names they could target, but a new report could bring them back to Columbus.
Toronto could circle back to Columbus as they search for scoring help
According to sources, the Blue Jackets are dangling both Kent Johnson and Dmitri Voronkov in trade rumors as they continue to look for deals for the two. Johnson has been in the rumour mill before, and he'd certainly be a target that the Maple Leafs could benefit from.
Johnson, 23, had a down year in 2025-26 with only 7 goals and 22 points in 76 games, but does have a 24-goal season under his belt already from 2024-25. He's been a mixed bag where he has great numbers, then regresses, bounces back, and declines again.
Perhaps a solidified and definitive role in Toronto would help him find more consistency, and with him being already familiar with Marchenko - the transition would be seamless.
That also helps the rest of the lineup as Jack Roslovic can slide down the lineup to help out there, or even be the top-six scoring presence if they aren't going to move up Easton Cowan. Johnson is in the final year of his deal making $1.8M and is an RFA after this season.
Toronto can't sleep on Dmitri Voronkov
But perhaps the Maple Leafs instead should focus on adding Voronkov - who would essentially replace Knies' role.e He's a huge body on the ice at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he has consistently hit 15+ goals in his career including 24 in 2024-25, he loves to hit, and is responsible defensively.
He isn't the fastest, but he's dangerous around the slot and he's the perfect type of player who can open up space for the rest of the forwards. His career possession numbers are above average too and with the team needing help on the second line in that regard - he would fit in perfectly.
That would necessitate moving someone down the lineup, but in the quest for scoring, sometimes there are some players who get pushed down.
It depends on how Hiller would like to work things but he could slide Colton Sissons down to the fourth line, sit someone like Bo Groulx, and move John Tavares or Gavin McKenna down to the third to open up space.
He's more expensive than Johnson and will likely get a larger deal, but with $7M in cap space and not many deals to focus on - they can afford to sign him long-term.
If the Maple Leafs need scoring help, they have their options for sure, but maybe double dipping in Columbus is the best way to do it. But the question then becomes: What's it going to cost them this time?
Which player should the Maple Leafs target from the Blue Jackets?
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