4 Maple Leafs players who could be traded before 2026 NHL draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be a team to watch this month. After a tough 2025-26 season, the Maple Leafs could look to shake up their roster under their new management.

The Maple Leafs need to get younger and faster, and to do so, they need to trade some players off their roster.

Because of this, let’s look at four Maple Leafs who have the potential to be traded before the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. 

Anthony Stolarz, G 

With Dennis Hildeby looking ready for the NHL and Artur Akhtyamov looking stellar in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs, Anthony Stolarz could be made available by the Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old goalie could be a perfect addition for a team that is looking for a 1B goalie. 

Stolarz had a 10-10-3 record, a 3.28 goals-against average, and an .893 save percentage in 26 games this season for Toronto. This is after he had the best save percentage in the NHL in 2023-24 (.925) and 2024-25 (.926). 

MORE: Three NHL Teams Who Could Trade For Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz

Morgan Rielly, D

Questions about Morgan Rielly’s future in Toronto have been coming up often now that the Maple Leafs’ season is over. The 32-year-old defenseman could clearly use a fresh start, and he will likely generate trade interest. Teams looking for help in their top four should be kicking tires on the 13-year veteran. 

In 78 games this season with Toronto, Rielly had 11 goals, 36 points, and a minus-18 rating. 

MORE: 3 potential NHL trade destinations for Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly

Brandon Carlo, D 

The fit hasn’t been there with Brandon Carlo and the Maple Leafs. Due to this, it would not be particularly surprising if they moved on from the 29-year-old this summer.

Teams are always on the hunt for big right-shot defenseman who can play top-four minutes, so Carlo could get the Maple Leafs a nice return if dealt. 

Carlo appeared in 55 games this season with the Maple Leafs, where he recorded zero goals, seven assists, 98 blocks, and a plus-4 rating. 

Matthew Knies, LW

Matthew Knies generated a lot of interest leading up to this year’s trade deadline, and it would be understandable if he does again this summer. This is because Knies is not only an impactful top-six power forward, but is also only 23 years old. Because of this, he can be a fit on both contenders and non-playoff teams. 

Knies posted 23 goals, 43 assists, 66 points, and 152 hits in 79 games this season with the Maple Leafs. 

A reported trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs fell through. Under new management, reports indicate the Maple Leafs aren’t as willing to move on from Knies, but he remains an interesting case to watch.

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