Maple Leafs Pushing to Add Top-Six Forward and Have a Specific Plan for How to Get One

The biggest news came on Monday when the Leafs and Golden Knights finally came to terms on a sign-and-trade involving Mitch Marner and a new 8-year, $96M contract.

However, that wasn't the first trade Leafs GM Brad Treliving made on the day as he sent a conditional third-round pick to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for 24-year-old winger Matias Maccelli.

Although the Leafs have a fair bit of cap space to use, Treliving has apparently decided against overpaying what's left of the free agent group to shore up the Leafs' top-six.

According to The fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta, the long-time NHL executive is looking to add to the Maple Leafs' top-six via trade.

In May and earlier in June, it was reported that the Leafs were shopping the likes of Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf to free up additional cap space and roster spots. From what Pagnotta is hearing, that still rings true as he also shared on Monday that the Leafs continue to explore the market for the two versatile forwards.

Although there is speculation that the Leafs may express interest in Winnipeg Jets free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, it would appear that the Leafs are more content shipping out more draft picks and roster players to give themselves more flexibility ahead of what is expected to be star-studded free agent classes in 2026 and 2027.