As the calendar turns to 2026, it's time to re-evaluate the moves made at last year's NHL trade deadline, especially for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, where playoff success is the ultimate measure. The Leafs, under pressure to contend, made a significant splash by acquiring center Scott Laughton and defenseman Brandon Carlo. These acquisitions came at a cost, involving valuable draft picks and promising prospects.
The Leafs sent forward prospect Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional 2027 first-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for Laughton. In addition to Laughton, Toronto also received a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2027. Philadelphia agreed to retain 50% of Laughton's salary. To acquire Carlo from the Boston Bruins, Toronto parted ways with center prospect Fraser Minten, a fourth-round pick in 2025, and a conditional first-round pick in 2026. The Bruins also retained 15% of Carlo's salary.
One of the biggest pieces moving the other way was Fraser Minten. Minten's departure is a tough pill for some Leafs fans to swallow. After a slow start in his first full season with Boston, Minten has begun to find his stride, with eight goals and 17 points in 42 games, accompanied by a plus-8 rating. Minten's hockey sense allows him to handle defensive assignments and contribute secondary scoring, making him a potentially valuable middle-six center for years to come. Giving up on that type of player hurts, especially considering the other assets involved. The Leafs also moved a 2025 fourth-round pick and a top-five-protected first-rounder in 2026. Some question whether that first-rounder could have been used more effectively in a different trade or kept to replenish the team's prospect pool.
Brandon Carlo was brought in to provide stability on the blue line. While Carlo provides size and experience, his $3.485 million cap hit hasn't consistently translated into impactful play.
Scott Laughton, a versatile forward, was expected to bolster the Leafs' third line. So far, Laughton has 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 60 games this season.
At the time, Leafs GM Brad Treliving emphasized the need to improve the team ahead of a crucial playoff push. To make the trades work financially, the Leafs also traded Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fifth-round pick in 2025, sent Ryan Reaves to the AHL, and placed Max Pacioretty on long-term injured reserve.
These moves highlight the constant pressure on the Maple Leafs to contend for the Stanley Cup. With key players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander locked into long-term contracts, but with Mitch Marner and John Tavares potentially entering free agency soon, the Leafs are in "win-now" mode. Time will tell if these trades will ultimately help the Maple Leafs achieve their championship aspirations or become a cautionary tale of sacrificing long-term assets for short-term gains.
