The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to target a centerman this offseason, as it remains their most pressing roster need.
One fan-created trade using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool suggests a potential blockbuster move: the Leafs would acquire veteran center Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues, with $3.3 million of his salary retained. In exchange, the Blues would receive defense prospect Ben Danford, forward Pontus Holmberg, and a 2028 first-round draft pick.
This hypothetical deal would see Toronto land Schenn, who is in the sixth year of an eight-year, $52 million contract. Schenn would slot into the Leafs’ second or third-line center role, depending on the future of captain John Tavares. Schenn, the current captain of the Blues and a Stanley Cup champion under Toronto’s current coach Craig Berube, tallied 18 goals and 32 assists last season.
From the Leafs’ side, the trade would be costly: Danford, a first-round pick in 2023, is a promising stay-at-home defenseman developing in the OHL. Holmberg, a pending restricted free agent, is a versatile bottom-six forward who notched 19 points in 68 games last season and could help St. Louis replenish forward depth with youth.
Coach Berube has expressed admiration for Schenn, recently praising his character and longevity after the forward’s 1,000th NHL game:
“I love that player. He’s a super human being… He’s a hockey nerd. Very happy for him.”
The Maple Leafs reportedly explored a Schenn trade at the deadline, but the Blues held onto him. With the offseason now in full swing, trade talks could reignite.
NHL analyst Jonas Siegel of The Athletic has linked Schenn to Toronto, noting the fit with Berube’s style and experience. However, Siegel cautioned that Schenn is older, approaching 34, and acquiring him would still require a significant return — though potentially less than what it would cost to land someone like Sam Bennett.
Toronto has over $25.7 million in salary cap space this offseason, giving them flexibility to explore such a deal if they can navigate the financial and asset cost hurdles.