If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a speedy defensive centre to round out the lineup, they only have to look across the border to Buffalo for the answer.
There's a bit of a growing concern with the Maple Leafs' inability to exit the neutral zone; they are still getting hemmed in their own zone. The defense isn't helping out, and when forwards take the puck into the neutral zone, they are finding themselves needing to backpedal quickly.
They don't have a ton of assets and any premium ones they do have they are going to hold onto unless something absolutely blows them away. If they want to make a move they are going to need to give up something, though they may not need to pay too much - or look too far.
Toronto can get lineup help just across the QEW
Taking a look at the Buffalo Sabres' lineup, there's a glaring name missing from the top six, and that's Ryan McLeod. Expected to be a key part of the team, he has been relegated to the fourth line early on this season, and it could be a sign that he may be on the way out.
And it has some thinking the Maple Leafs should have their eyes set on him:
All the focus has been on the blueline (and rightfully so), but if McLeod is on the outs with BUF, he'd be a pretty phenomenal add at C.
Another two years at $5M, strong defensively, and one of the fastest players in the league.
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McLeod, 27, has been a great addition to the Sabres lineup over the past two seasons. He even posted a 20-goal season in 2024-25, and consistently ranks as one of the best skaters in the league who also kills penalties at a high level.
McLeod's speed is a game-changer for the Maple Leafs
This year he is in the 99th percentile in max skating speed (23.41 MPH) was in the 90th percentile in 2025-26 (23.18 MPH), and in his final season in Edmonton also ended up ranking in the 99th percentile (23.83 MPH). He zooms around the ice and never seems to run out of energy - the perfect solution for Toronto's exit woes.
He not only can help the team defensively, but the neutral zone breakouts and end-to-end transition game will be a lot better. He can steal the puck, turn on the jets alongside some of the other speedsters on the team and create chaos for the opposition.
McLeod also solves Toronto's issues with getting high-danger chances, as he loves to hang around the centre of the ice and near the crease, using all of his 6-foot-3 frame to create chances.
He isn't worth a premium asset like the team's 2028 first-rounder, or someone like Easton Cowan or Ben Danford, but they do have pieces like Miroslav Holinka, Noah Chadwick, William Villeneuve and other mid-tier picks they can package together for McLeod.
It makes things easier if the Sabres are done with McLeod and decide that cutting ties and getting something for him is better than leaving him in the press box. The question then becomes not if Toronto can afford him but if Buffalo is willing to do business with such a bitter rival.
Do you think the Maple Leafs should make a trade for Ryan McLeod from the Buffalo Sabres?
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