The Mississauga kid scoring 28 goals for Philadelphia is the best Leafs trade target with the perfect contract

Owen Tippett just scored 28 goals for the Flyers and helped them into the postseason. He's also a Mississauga native who would fit perfectly within the Maple Leafs lineup. At only $6.2-million and firmly in the middle of his prime - John Chayka would be foolish to ignore him.

Toronto's need to improve the roster is going to come with various methods be it drafting, trades or free agency. If they select Gavin McKenna that helps a ton, meanwhile Chayka is well aware of the names he needs to trade away and hopefully an idea of who he's going to bring in.

Money shouldn't be a real issue this offseason especially if the team can make some deals for their more lucrative contracts, so everyone should be on the table. But one name who fits the bill perfectly is Flyers forward Owen Tippett.

Philly has a couple bright wingers who are coming up in Porter Martone and Tyson Foerster, and with the need to improve their goaltending, we could see a potential Tippett for Stolarz package somewhere down the line.

But what makes Tippett so enticing is the fact that he's much like Matthew Knies in the sense of a unique style of player.

He loves to hit, throws his body at will, scores goals, but for a guy 6'1, 210 pounds he moves like lightning. He ranked in the 83rd percentile for skater speed in 2025-26 while scoring 28 goals and adding 166 hits.

Plus, he grew up in Mississauga and played for the Steelheads but hasn't really been able to play extensively in front of family and friends; but Toronto can definitely provide that.

He's also adept at playmaking so sliding him on either Auston Matthews or William Nylander's wing is going to help immensely in all aspects. Having Knies/Tippett as your speedy, powerful crash-and-bang forwards who can contribute offensively and defensively will only make that lineup stronger.

But besides stars like Travis Konecny, Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov, Tippett was one of the bright spots. He actually ranked third on the team in points but is in a three-way tie with Michkov and Christian Dvorak per Hockey Reference.

What's even better about Tippett beyond what he brings on the ice is the fact that he's relatively cheap and will only get cheaper as the salary cap rises.

He makes $6.2-million until 2032, but he's only 27 years old right now. So you're not really getting an aging veteran; it's a bargain price for a middle of his prime power forward.

That would give Gavin McKenna a proven veteran who is still going to be relatively young in a few years when McKenna is more comfortable with the NHL game. He also provides a lot of protection for the youngster as no doubt he's going to have a target on his back from the rest of the league.

John Chayka is going to have to think not only 'win-now' for Auston Matthews but also five, ten years down the line when McKenna is reaching his prime. So with the future in mind, adding a contract that appreciates down the line will only open up more flexibility for the Maple Leafs in future summers and who knows where that could lead.

It makes too much sense for Owen Tippett to come into the Maple Leafs lineup and not only solidify their top-six but also give John Chayka a cheap sidekick for Gavin McKenna for the next half decade.

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