The Toronto Maple Leafs are taking a breather over the Olympic break, but the chatter is already heating up for when they return to action. There’s a lot to sort out: are they buyers, sellers, or standing pat as they push for a playoff spot? The trade deadline is looming, and with Bobby McMann, Matias Maccelli, and other names floating in the rumour mill, fans can expect a noisy few weeks.
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Even with the break giving everyone a little time to catch their breath, the Maple Leafs front office has plenty to consider. Do they try to upgrade and take a swing at the postseason? Or do they protect the pieces that have made the roster competitive so far? Both choices carry risk, and the next few weeks will give us a sense of the direction general manager Brad Treliving and his staff are leaning toward.
Item One: Maple Leafs Trade Watch: McMann, Roy, and Ekman-Larsson
Talk of the trade deadline has centred on a handful of Leafs names, with McMann drawing particular attention. While it’s only general manager Stan Bowman’s second deadline running the Edmonton Oilers, his pattern is becoming clear. He prefers players with term, or guys he believes he can extend long-term, rather than short-term rentals. That makes a straightforward McMann rental tricky, though it doesn’t completely rule out a deal.
Instead, Edmonton seems to be exploring Nicolas Roy and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Roy could give the Oilers a versatile top-nine forward who can play center or wing, while Ekman-Larsson brings playoff experience and a seasoned presence to the blue line. Both have term on their contracts, which might make Bowman willing to pay a little extra. For Toronto, making a deal happen will take timing, balance, and a careful eye on what Edmonton is willing to spend.
Item Two: Maple Leafs Rumours: Is Maccelli Becoming a Keeper?
Some players quietly sneak up on you, and Maccelli is a perfect example. When he first arrived in Toronto, he blended into the lineup. Few fans noticed. But then injuries hit, he got his shot, and suddenly he’s making people pay attention. Two goals against Edmonton, three points in his last two games, and more trust from head coach Craig Berube. He’s starting to show that he belongs.
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What’s striking now is how settled Maccelli looks. He’s reading plays, finding open spots, and finishing chances without forcing anything. His line with John Tavares and William Nylander is starting to click, giving the Maple Leafs a second line capable of producing points.
Trade chatter will always surround a player like Maccelli, but moving him now would be a mistake. He’s steady, productive, and chemistry isn’t something you can just swap in. Keeping him around at a team-friendly cost could pay dividends for the remainder of the season.
Item Three: Marshall Rifai Heads Back to the AHL
Marshall Rifai has returned to the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies. This season, he’s appeared in only one NHL game, playing 9:40 against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31. Before that, Rifai had been producing in the AHL with four assists in 12 games.
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Sending him back down gives him a chance to get more ice time during the Olympic break. Given the team’s injury situation, he’ll continue to work on his play before earning a larger role in the NHL. At 27 years old, he’s played three games in the NHL to date. Could he get more games this season?
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The Olympic break offers a moment to pause, but the Maple Leafs’ next stretch will be busy. Trade rumours will swirl, young players will need to stay sharp, and veterans will have to set the tone once the schedule resumes. Balancing development, chemistry, and playoff positioning is never easy. However, these next few weeks will tell us a lot about how the Leafs plan to finish the season.
One thing is clear: the team has pieces worth protecting and players worth watching. McMann could move if the price is right, Maccelli is quietly proving he belongs, and Rifai’s development remains in focus. Fans should buckle up. The next few weeks could shape the Maple Leafs’ postseason hopes more than any single game on the ice.
