Maple Leafs' completed trade with the Colorado Avalanche includes an underrated asset

While the Maple Leafs can trade away their 2028 first-rounder from Colorado, they might want to rethink that as the Avalanche's slow start changes its value.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their desire to make a deal to improve their blue line or add some type of game-changer to the lineup. They are hesitant to trade any big assets unless necessary, but it hasn't stopped rumours from flying.

One of those big assets comes in the form of a first-round draft pick in 2028 which was acquired in the trade that sent Nic Roy to the Colorado Avalanche at last year's deadline. It gives them a solid negotiating chip if they want to make a deal though they may want to hold that thought.

Colorado's middling start is a positive sign for the Maple Leafs

Right now, the Avalanche aren't exactly lighting up the rest of the NHL like we're used to, as they currently have a 5-4-1 record and are coming off two straight losses to two of the lesser teams in the league - Philadelphia and New Jersey.

It doesn't look like the team has that same punches they've had in recent years, and actually earned their fourth regulation loss in only 10 games this season, as opposed to last year when that didn't happen until early January, and it's a clear night and day difference.

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Whether it be due to a lack of solid goaltending, or just a case of not having found their groove yet after an accelerated preseason, the Avalanche are not the team of old, and that means good news for the Maple Leafs.

Toronto shouldn't trade their 2028 first-rounder until the last possible second

Now, if the team does decide they still want to part with that, they shouldn't be too hasty to trade it away until the last chance they have. You have to take Colorado's slow start with a grain of salt and they very well could turn it around quickly.

If that's the case, then that pick becomes a little less valuable. It's still a first-rounder, but it may not be in that 15-20 range but instead later, and a team may be willing to part with more or be more open to a deal if they know the pick they're getting is a lot better.

That does prevent Toronto from making any real big moves right now, but much like the Avalanche, the Maple Leafs are taking their time to get used to each other and so far the results are getting better game by game.

If they can settle in and get their injured back in short order, then they won't need to panic-trade for a replacement.

It's why Colorado's pick is so valuable, because it's not only an asset that prevents them from losing a player they already have, but it could be one that pushes one team to accept a deal when they otherwise wouldn't have. If Toronto is trying to win now, then they need to deal that pick away regardless.

They should just be a little bit patient and wait to see what the rest of the 2026-27 season offers.

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