The Toronto Maple Leafs have completed a trade before the NHL trade deadline. The team has sent center Nicolas Roy to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 draft and a fifth-round pick in June. If the Avalanche’s first-round pick falls within the top 10, they will instead give the Maple Leafs an unprotected first-rounder in 2028. Additionally, Toronto will receive the lowest of Colorado’s three fifth-round picks in the 2026 draft as part of the deal.
This trade marks the first of several expected moves by the Maple Leafs before the deadline. The team has had a disappointing season and is unlikely to make the playoffs after nine consecutive appearances. Roy, who joined the Maple Leafs in the offseason from the Vegas Golden Knights, has recorded five goals and 20 points in 59 games with the team. The 29-year-old Quebec native has accumulated 73 goals and 186 points in 428 NHL regular-season games with the Hurricanes, Golden Knights, and Maple Leafs. Roy was selected in the 2015 draft and was part of the Stanley Cup-winning Vegas team in 2023.
In another trade, the Pacific Division leaders, the Vegas Golden Knights, acquired center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick, a 2029 second-rounder, and goaltender Jesper Vikman. Dowd, a 35-year-old penalty killer and shutdown defender, brings experience and some offensive contributions to the Golden Knights. He has 16 points and 43 blocked shots in 55 games this season and is under contract through the 2026-27 season.
The Utah Mammoth acquired defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames in exchange for three second-round picks, Olli Maatta, and prospect Jonathan Castagna. Weegar, 32, brings experience and defensive capability to the Mammoth as they aim for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. He waived his no-trade clause to join Utah and is under contract through 2031 with an annual salary cap hit of $6.25 million.
Meanwhile, a potential deal that would have sent Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues to the Buffalo Sabres fell through as Parayko declined to waive his no-trade clause. The defenseman, who has full no-trade protection until 2028, remains with the Blues under contract until 2030.
As the trade deadline approaches, more deals are anticipated across the league. Teams like the Washington Capitals may continue to make moves, with players like Brandon Duhaime and Trevor van Riemsdyk being potential trade candidates. Other teams are also exploring trade options, with the New York Rangers keeping Vincent Trocheck on the roster and monitoring potential trades.
