Three Trade Targets That Could Push the Leafs Over the Top in 2025-26

With Toronto still looking to add to their top-six this season, the team has a load of options they could end up pursuing however it might end up costing quite a bit.

However, while it's hard for them to make a deal now, there is always the trade deadline and depending on how the season turns out for some teams, certain top players could suddenly be made available.

So Toronto needs to keep an eye on a trio of players, all who would add a different dynamic to the team; so let's break it down and see who the Leafs should target in 2025-26 and rate their potential for being dealt.

We'll start with a name who has bounced around a lot this summer and is the likeliest candidate to be traded, that being Pittsburgh's Rickard Rakell.

The Pens are looking to rebuild and will likely go after Gavin McKenna, but that involves dumping players like Rakell in order to essentially tank; they don't want any additional help winning games.

So it's why he needs to be looked at as a first option, not only because he can add some serious offense (35 goals, 35 assists last season) but he brings a physical game that the second line desperately needs to compliment Matthew Knies' role up top.

Rakell is a bit older at 32, but he's also only making $5-million for the next three years and with a rising cap that will actually play into a very solid deal granted he keeps up his production.

It also might be the cheapest option on this list too, as Pittsburgh will still want young players, but Toronto can dangle Nick Robertson, William Villeneuve, Dennis Hildeby, or Cade Webber as potential pieces.

Shifting gears a bit, the Maple Leafs could look to a division rival to help their top-six and boy they would be adding quite the presence on the ice. Tuch stands 6'4, weighs 220 pounds and is relentless on both offense and defense.

He's scored 243 points in 281 games for the Sabres since being dealt there from Vegas (106 goals, 137 assists) and has undoubtedly been one of the bright spots on a middling Buffalo squad.

Putting him alongside John Tavares and William Nylander gives the second line a trio of 30+ goal scorers, and even if he were to take the right wing up top; Auston Matthews has some serious firepower and size to utilize.

The issue is that he's going to cost a lot, not only in terms of assets but he's an unrestricted free agent after this season so re-signing him is going to take a lot out of their cap (and if they want to sign a big name free agent they need as much help as possible).

It's hard to say what Buffalo would want other than Easton Cowan but perhaps they took would like Robertson, and maybe Toronto can dangle one or two of their NCAA prospects to add to the Sabres' youth.

But it's a lot to ask, and it might be too much for the Maple Leafs.

Finally, we have someone who is all too familiar with head coach Craig Berube, and so happens to be the #1 defenseman in St. Louis.

Parayko is a game changer and his combination of goal-scoring, physicality, shot-blocking, defensive IQ and incredible size make him one of the best in the league.

In 64 games last season he added 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) with 149 blocks but also dealt with some injury woes. He won a Cup with Berube, and has become one of the locker room leaders alongside Brayden Schenn.

Bringing him in is going to be the hardest part, not only because St. Louis is going to ask for the world when it comes to a package, but how do you pry someone away who is so integral to the fabric of their team?

No doubt Parayko would be Toronto's new #1 and would be a stark improvement over Morgan Rielly both offensively and defensively.

But at what cost? Probably one too expensive for Brad Treliving to entertain; though he still should try.