The Toronto Maple Leafs are still searching for consistency this season. While they’re coming off a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, they remain third from the bottom in the Atlantic Division with a 15-12-5 record.
With the Leafs struggling to find their rhythm, the focus has shifted to potential roster upgrades, particularly adding help in the top six forward positions. That search may now include a big-name option, as an NHL insider has linked Toronto to a $33.25 million forward.
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While appearing on TSN’s FanDuel OverDrive, NHL insider Darren Dreger pointed to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a possible landing spot for Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch, who is in the final season of his seven-year, $33.25 million deal.
The conversation comes at a turbulent time for Buffalo. On Monday, the Sabres fired general manager Kevyn Adams after another disappointing start that has them sitting last in the Atlantic Division. Aside from the front-office shakeup, Buffalo has made no major roster moves so far this season.
When discussing how the Sabres might finally break their long playoff drought, Dreger suggested tough decisions could be coming.
He said, “You know, cut bait with Alex Tuch in that sense, draw that line in the sand. Here is high us we’re going to go and that’s it. Because if they threw Alex Tuch officially on the trade market, (Leafs GM) Brad Treliving is looking for a forward, go down the list of all teams in the NHL that’ll dive into that pool given the opportunity, right? That’s where it starts.”
Dreger also noted that if Buffalo was willing to dismiss its general manager in the middle of the season, it likely signals a readiness for bigger roster moves as well. “I think you have to be open for business to do just about anything,” he said.
From Toronto’s perspective, the connection is logical. The Leafs have been searching for a way to fill the offensive gap left by Mitch Marner’s trade to Vegas in July 2025, and with the team sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference, the road to a playoff spot looks increasingly steep.
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According to multiple reports, Leafs GM Brad Treliving is already exploring options, including shopping offseason acquisition Matias Maccelli, who hasn’t found a fit in the lineup. With pressure mounting, Treliving appears determined to reshape the roster.
