This is the Maple Leafs' biggest trade chip this offseason

Toronto enters the 2026 offseason seeking moves to return to contention after a disappointing 2025-26 season. Management led by Mats Sundin and John Chayka will consider free agency and trades to improve the roster. Potential player trade chips like Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews are weighed against team-building value and contract constraints. Knies is viewed as young elite talent that should likely be retained. Matthews could return a major package, but his full no-movement clause limits trade flexibility and potential return. The top trade asset is instead Toronto’s first overall pick for the 2026 NHL Draft. The draft is described as deep with elite prospects, so a top-five selection would attract strong interest. Trading the pick would be considered only for an offer that is difficult to refuse, providing either immediate assets or the ability to choose the exact player needed.

"Matthew Knies? With teams looking for young, elite talent, Knies would certainly fit the bill, but it would be more wise for the Maple Leafs to keep him that potentially give him away and make the team worse off. How about the face of the franchise Auston Matthews? Matthews would definitely net the Leafs a haul of assets given his pedigree. But given that he has a full no-movement clause, it could severely handicap the Leafs in what they can get for the return in any trade deal involving their captain."

"As a result, the No. 1 trade chip for Toronto is actually not even a player, but their first overall pick for the 2026 NHL Draft. With the 2026 draft class loaded with elite talent, starting with Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, followed by a plethora of top defenders in Chase Reid, Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff, teams will be salivating just to get a hold of a top-five pick. But with the No. 1 pick, they could control their own destiny and choose exactly the game-changing piece that they need."

"From the Leafs standpoint, they could benefit greatly from such a deal in multiple ways. First of all, if Toronto ends up moving their first overall pick, which they would only do if they are presented with a hard to turn down deal, then they would be getting valuable assets that could help them immediately. For top prospects like the five mentioned above, as good as"

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