As the NHL season approaches its midpoint, trade winds are picking up, with the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs at the center of the latest buzz. The looming holiday roster freeze, set to begin Friday night, could spur teams to make last-minute deals.

Flames in Sell Mode

The Calgary Flames appear to be embracing a seller's mentality, with several veteran players attracting attention from around the league. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson is one of the most coveted players after the Quinn Hughes trade to Minnesota. Andersson is seen as a top available blue-liner. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars are among the teams showing interest. It is believed that Andersson would consider extending his contract with the Maple Leafs if a trade were to occur.

Nazem Kadri is another Flame generating significant interest, with the Minnesota Wild being the latest team to join the chase. Given Kadri's $7 million cap hit through the 2028-29 season and a 13-team no-trade clause, any potential deal would require the Flames to retain salary. The Flames placing Dryden Hunt on waivers suggests further roster adjustments are on the horizon. Jake Bean is also set to undergo surgery for an undisclosed injury.

Maple Leafs on the Hunt

The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively seeking to bolster their roster, with general manager Brad Treliving aiming to add a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman. The Leafs have been linked to Calgary's Rasmus Andersson and New Jersey Devils' Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton's situation in New Jersey, where the Devils need to shed salary, makes him a potential target for Toronto. The Maple Leafs are also interested in adding a playmaker to complement Auston Matthews.

However, Toronto faces challenges due to limited draft capital and trade chips. Several Maple Leafs players have emerged as potential trade candidates. Forward Matias Maccelli and defenseman Brandon Carlo are names that have appeared on trade boards. Maccelli, who has struggled to find consistency in Toronto, has a manageable $3.425 million cap hit. Carlo, signed to a six-year, $24.6 million contract, is also mentioned as a possible trade piece. The Leafs have been trying to improve their consistency.

Updated Trade Boards

TSN insider Chris Johnston has updated his trade board, with several Maple Leafs players included. Besides Maccelli and Carlo, other names to watch include Mason Marchment of the Seattle Kraken. The recent trade of Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild has had a ripple effect, prompting teams to re-evaluate their needs and potential trade targets. The Athletic's NHL Trade Board features Maple Leafs players as potential trade candidates before the holiday roster freeze.

With the trade deadline approaching, expect more rumors and potential deals as teams position themselves for a playoff push.