The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the 2025-26 season with a different-looking roster. This is because they had a very busy summer and brought in several new players.
The Maple Leafs added multiple forwards this offseason, as they traded for Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, and Dakota Joshua in separate trades. They also added to their defensive depth by acquiring Henry Thrun from the San Jose Sharks this summer.
Yet, the Maple Leafs’ biggest move of the summer was trading superstar forward Mitch Marner’s signing rights to the Vegas Golden Knights. Marner then immediately signed an eight-year, $96 million contract with the Golden Knights. With this move, there is no question that the Maple Leafs have questions when it comes to their top six this season. This is especially so when noting that Marner has had seven straight seasons with over a point per game.
With the Maple Leafs losing Marner, it would be wise for them to try to add a top-six winger. When looking at trade targets around the NHL, one potential target who stands out big time is Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell.
Because of this, we here at Heavy Sports have a trade proposal that has the Penguins moving Rakell to the Maple Leafs in a major swap.
Maple Leafs Get:
Rickard Rakell
Penguins Get:
2027 Second-Round Pick
Noah Chadwick
Nick Robertson
David Kampf
Rickard Rakell Is Ideal Trade Target for Maple Leafs
Rakell has been a very popular name in the rumor mill all offseason. It is understandable, as the Penguins are in the middle of a rebuild. Furthermore, Rakell’s value is higher right now after the season he just put together for Pittsburgh. Thus, if the Penguins do not view him as a long-term part of their plans, now would be a good time for them to move him.
Rakell posted new career highs with 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games last season with the Penguins. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to make up some of the offense lost with Marner’s departure.
When looking at the Maple Leafs’ projected lineup on Daily Faceoff, Rakell would be a nice upgrade over Maccelli on Toronto’s first line. However, with Rakell also being able to play left wing, he could replace Bobby McMann on Toronto’s second line. In either scenario, Toronto’s top six would improve with a Rakell addition. He would also give them a clear option for their power play if brought in, too.
Maple Leafs & Penguins Would Benefit From This Trade Offer
With Rakell coming off such a strong season, the Penguins are not just going to give him away. Because of this, the Maple Leafs offering their 2027 second-round pick, Noah Chadwick, Nick Robertson, and David Kampf could be enough to get it done.
With Chadwick, the Penguins would be bringing in a left-shot prospect defenseman with good upside. In 66 WHL games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes last season, he recorded 13 goals, 53 points, and a plus-11 rating.
With Robertson, the Penguins would be adding a young forward who has shown promise but also could use a change of scenery. The 24-year-old scored a career-high 15 goals and recorded 22 points in 69 games last season for the Maple Leafs.
As for Kampf, he would offer the Penguins a solid veteran center for their bottom six and penalty kill. In 59 games this past season, he posted five goals and 13 points.