Leafs prospect Sam McCue is reportedly headed to his third team in three years

Sam McCue could be on the move again, as there have been reports that the Maple Leafs prospect may be traded to the Barrie Colts, though nothing has been announced, confirmed, or finalized from either Barrie or McCue's current team, Brantford.

It would be the third time he's been traded in three seasons; first he was dealt from the Peterborough Petes to the Owen Sound Attack in 2023-24, then traded a year later from Owen Sound to the Flint Firebirds, ending up in Brantford.

But him being potentially dealt for the third time already shows there are a couple of ways to look at it.

But him potentially being dealt for the third time already does raise a couple of possibilities. On one hand, he could be highly valued by contending junior teams looking to add size and scoring. On the other, he may just be caught in the middle of constant retools as clubs shuffle assets.

Brantford clearly valued him highly; they sent seven draft picks to Flint to acquire his rights, and now despite that cost, his future there already appears uncertain if these reports come to fruition.

Though with how he's been acquired, it may very well be the former. Brantford traded for McCue and sent seven draft picks to the Firebirds for his services, though may not be sticking around long; but they certainly had high hopes given the price tag.

You don't typically see a player create so much noise in junior, but his constant movement throughout the OHL and while there was some discussion about him being outright released, that seems to not be the case; though unconfirmed.

While McCue isn't a big name in the system, he does have a knack for scoring and his size, speed, aggression and relentless engine has led him to success at the OHL level.

He's clearly got interested parties and his mix of size and skill will help contenders, however with him being shipped around so much, it does bring a bit of concern. Teams don't normally throw over a half dozen picks in a deal unless they are confident in who they are getting, but to release him 25 games in is a bit perplexing.

He's not a front of the line name in the Maple Leafs' system right now and, while he has participated in development camp and preseason action, he's still a long way from NHL consideration.

But if does end up getting traded, it's an interesting story to keep an eye on as he has the chops to be a serious impact player, it's just a matter of if he stays long enough to make that impact.

We'll have to see what's in store for Sam McCue, and a trade sounds quite likely from the sounds of it.