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Maple Leafs 2025 NHL Trade Deadline live blog

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Welcome to The Leafs Nation’s 2025 trade deadline live blog, where we’ll capture all the latest trades, transactions, rumours and other news involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, and their rivals throughout the day.

We’re expecting a flurry of activity as Brad Treliving has been working the phones, reportedly in pursuit of a third-line centre, and a depth defenceman. Treliving has been on the clock for the past few weeks. He’s under pressure to make a significant move, after the Florida Panthers acquired defenceman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks on March 1, and the Tampa Bay Lightning traded 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, a 2025 second-round pick (from the Maple Leafs) and Mikey Eyssimont to the Seattle Kraken, in exchange for Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Seattle Kraken.

Toronto boasts limited cap space, and it may require another team to retain salary in order to find an immediate upgrade. After the Maple Leafs activated Calle Jarnkrok for Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, they only hold over $100,000 in cap space via PuckPedia, and may need to send some salary out in pending deals.

Nick Robertson is widely considered the most likely Maple Leafs player to be traded ahead of the deadline, but he may have played himself out of contention. Max Domi has also been considered to be on the block, but he also holds a 13-team no-trade list, and the Maple Leafs may be encouraged by his recent uptick in form.

We’re revisited how the Maple Leafs have fared at the 2022, 2023 and 2024 trade deadlines, and what the team can learn in pursuit of an elusive Stanley Cup.

Live updates:

1:11pm ET: Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek reports that the return for Carolina in the Rantanen trade will include Logan Stankoven and multiple first-round picks.

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1:10pm ET: Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports that the pick Toronto dealt to Philadelphia is their 2027 first-rounder, and it is top-10 protected. Considering the Leafs retained all of their top prospects, their 2026 first-rounder, and 2025 second-rounder, along with the salary retention on Laughton, they are well positioned to make another move ahead of the deadline.

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1:00pm ET: Chris Johnston of TSN & The Athletic has further details on the Scott Laughton acquisition for the Leafs, including the Flyers retaining 50% of Laughton’s $3 million cap hit for this year and next. 

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12:58pm: TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Leafs have dealt a first-round pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to Philadelphia for Scott Laughton and draft picks.

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12:51pm ET: Frank Seravalli of DFO confirms reports that the Leafs have acquired Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers. Awaiting news on the return for the Flyers.

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12:50 pm: Brandon Tanev is also heading to the Winnipeg Jets from the Seattle Kraken, in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports. 

12:39 pm: Luke Schenn is heading to the Winnipeg Jets from the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for a 2025 second and 2026 fourth-round pick, The Athletic and TSN’s Chris Johnston reports. Schenn was considered a popular target for the Maple Leafs, but a third stint won’t be coming to fruition, and the Jets have secured a solid defensive presence while gearing up for an extended playoff run. 

12:30 pm: Mikko Rantanen is reaching an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. The trade with the Carolina Hurricanes was contingent upon an extension, and now Rantanen has locked up some long-term financial security with a Stanley Cup contender. 

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12:18 pm: Kevin McGran via Elliotte Friedman confirms that the Leafs checked in on Ryan O’Reilly in Nashville but he wasn’t interested in a reunion. He doesn’t have any trade protection, but hearing that stance was probably enough for the Leafs to walk away.

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12:16pm: The Ottawa Senators have announced that the Cozens/Norris trade is official.

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12:10pm: Friedman has the details on the trade between Ottawa and Buffalo that will send Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Sabres in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a second-round pick.

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12:04pm ET: Seravalli has the details on the trade that will send Kuzmenko from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. The return is a 2027 third-rounder.

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12:02pm ET: Philadelphia Flyers beat writer Charlie O’Connor reports that Scott Laughton is not on the ice for Flyers practice, fueling speculation that he will be traded ahead of the deadline. Laughton remains a prime target for the Maple Leafs.

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12:01pm ET: Frank Seravalli reports that trade talks have picked up around Vancouver’s Brock Boeser. The pending UFA is one of the top goal scorers on the market, and it sounds like he will be moved before the deadline.

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12:00pm ET: DFO’s Seravalli reports that the deal between Dallas and Carolina for Mikko Rantanen isn’t dead just yet, but Carolina continues to explore other options should the deal fall through. Rantanen continues to be undoubtedly the biggest story to follow on deadline day.

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11:59am ET: Friedman reports that the Philadelphia Flyers are trading Andrei Kuzmenko to Los Angeles. No word on the return, but Philadelphia is a team to keep an eye on as they appear to be in full sell mode.

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11:55am ET: Bob McKenzie says on TSN’s Tradecentre that he believes Toronto is a team that Mikko Rantanen would look favourably upon, should he reach free agency. A trade to acquire Rantanen ahead of the deadline appears unlikely with Toronto’s cap situation and limited pool of trade assets, but McKenzie indicates there is mutual interest.

11:51am ET: Elliotte Friedman reports that the New Jersey Devils are working toward a contract extension with pending UFA defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic. Kovacevic was an unlikely trade candidate, given New Jersey’s place in the standings, but another right-shot defender appears to be officially off the market.

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11:28am ET: Anthony Di Marco of DailyFaceoff.com indicates that things are quiet around the Philadelphia Flyers as of now, but to keep an eye on the Leafs and Flyers linking up for a deal. The Leafs have been rumoured to have significant interest in Scott Laughton and they have also been linked to Rasmus Ristolainen.

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11:16am ET: Chris Johnston of TSN & The Athletic confirms that Beauvillier is headed from Pittsburgh to Washington in exchange for a second-round pick.

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11:08am ET: Pierre LeBrun confirms reports that Dylan Cozens is being traded to the Ottawa Senators. A young, power forward who plays down the middle, Cozens’ contract limited the number of potential suitors but this is a big swing for the Senators on a player who should benefit from a change of scenery.

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11:07am ET: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that winger Anthony Beauvillier is being dealt to the Washington Capitals. No word on the return as of yet.

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11:03am ET: Cam Robinson of EliteProspects.com speculates that Dylan Cozens will indeed be headed to Ottawa.

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10:51am ET: Kevin Weekes of ESPN & NHL Network reports that Ottawa and Buffalo are working on a trade that would send Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Sabres. No confirmation on the return, but centre Dylan Cozens has been the subject of trade speculation all season.

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10:51am ET: The Buffalo Sabres and pending UFA winger Jason Zucker have agreed to terms on a contract extension, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Zucker was a potential trade target as a big-bodied middle six winger with some scoring touch.

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10:10am ET: Be sure to check out the latest trade board from Frank Seravalli at DailyFaceoff.com:

Daily Faceoff Trade Board

9:21am ET: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun indicates that the Boston Bruins are still listening to offers on Brad Marchand while weighing a potential contract extension that would keep the Bruins’ captain in Boston. The Colorado Avalance no longer appear to be a potential suitor following their acquisition of Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

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9:00am ET: Reports continue to swirl that the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars have a trade in place that would send Mikko Rantanen to Dallas, but it is contingent on Rantanen agreeing to an extension with the Stars. The Maple Leafs were among the teams rumoured to be involved in trade talks surrounding Rantanen, but it appears they are no longer in contention to land the Finnish star.

Report: Stars, Hurricanes agree to Mikko Rantanen trade if extension reached by trade deadline

8:54am ET: Kevin Kurz of The Athletic states that the market for Rasmus Ristolainen appears limited, and a trade for the hulking, right-shot blueliner is unlikely before the deadline.

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8:24am ET: Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the asking price for defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen is a first-round pick, prospect, and roster player, while indicating there is a strong chance he isn’t moved by the deadline. Ristolainen has enjoyed a resurgence this season, and could serve as an upgrade to the right side of Toronto’s blue line, but it will be a tricky deal to put together. Dreger also echoes LeBrun’s report that the Flyers are looking for “a haul” in any Scott Laughton trade.

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8:23am ET: Pierre LeBrun of TSN says the Chicago Blackhawks continue to work towards a contract extension with pending UFA centre Ryan Donato. Donato is in the midst of a breakout season, and the Blackhawks could be willing to move him if an extension doesn’t come together throughout the day, but the asking price is expected to be high. Expect the Leafs to be one of the teams monitoring the situation.

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8:15am ET: Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports that the Philadelphia Flyers continue to take calls on Scott Laughton, but they will be patient as the market thins out, and they don’t feel the need to move him. Toronto and Winnipeg remain among the most interested teams pursuing Laughton.

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Maple Leafs’ trade assets:

Easton Cowan: Cowan is Toronto’s top-ranked prospect and could push for a roster spot as early as next fall. He’s also Toronto’s most coveted asset and could be moved in any potential deal for a major roster upgrade like Brayden Schenn. Cowan is having another strong season for the OHL’s London Knights with 24 goals and 51 points in 39 games.

Fraser Minten: Minten is close to NHL-ready, and he’s reportedly sought after by potential suitors. The 20-year-old is well-adjusted to Craig Berube’s system and like Cowan, could make a permanent dent on the roster by next fall. Minten could be slotted onto an NHL roster today and wouldn’t look out of place as a defensively-responsible centre.

Ben Danford: A punishing hitter in the open ice, Danford is the Leafs’ best defensive prospect, and it appears that the organization wouldn’t want to move him a year after selecting him in the first round. Danford’s offensive game is improving with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, but he’s still more than a few seasons away from making it to the NHL.

2026 first-round pick: This is the best future asset the Maple Leafs hold, in what’s expected to be a loaded cohort.

2025 second-round pick: If a team is looking for immediate draft capital, the Maple Leafs could add this selection as a sweetener.

Arun Srinivasan, Alex Hobson, Nick Richard and a rotating crew of The Leafs Nation’s staff will keep this blog updated. Let’s have some fun, and let’s get some transactions going!

Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!