The Toronto Maple Leafs remain one of the most unpredictable teams this season. Just when it looked like they had found their groove with three straight wins, the momentum vanished. Toronto has now dropped three of its last four games, culminating in a 6–3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
With consistency still an issue, it’s no surprise that trade rumors are starting to heat up again. The chatter has now linked an $18 million Seattle Kraken forward to Toronto.
$18Mn Seattle Kraken Forward Linked to Maple Leafs
Toronto is reportedly one of the teams actively exploring trades to strengthen their roster. This announcement comes ahead of the NHL’s roster freeze, which runs from midnight on December 19 to December 27, a period when players cannot be traded or placed on waivers, providing them with stability over the holiday break.
According to The Fourth Period’s NHL insider David Pagnotta, Seattle winger Mason Marchment, who is in the final year of his four-year, $18 million contract, is a potential trade target for the Leafs.
Pagnotta reported, “Toronto continues to look for a top-six addition along with half the league and in addition to Max Domi, whose name is still floating out there, Mattias Maccelli is also available. One target may be Seattle winger Mason Marchment, who Leafs GM Brad Treliving tried to land in June before he was dealt to the Kraken.”
Domi and Maccelli have both surfaced in trade rumors, with Maccelli having a difficult first season in Toronto. He hasn’t played since November 28 and has already been a healthy scratch eight times.
With the Kraken struggling near the bottom of the Pacific Division, Seattle might consider moving Marchment to shake up their lineup. Toronto could be a natural landing spot, since Marchment had a brief stint with the Leafs during the 2019-20 season. The Leafs also reportedly expressed interest in him last offseason when he was with Dallas, before Seattle completed the trade.
This season, Marchment has 13 points in 27 games. Being in the final year of his contract, he could serve as a low-risk rental for Toronto. Additionally, there is the option to extend if he fits well. His physical play and offensive instincts would pair nicely on a top line alongside Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews.
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Whether Seattle decides to move veteran pieces remains to be seen, but if Toronto wants to get involved, it likely won’t come cheap.
