With the offseason winding down and training camp on the horizon, the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to make significant changes to their forward group. However, a trade pitch has surfaced that could see the Maple Leafs land a two-time Stanley Cup champion and former 30-goal scorer, Brandon Saad, from the St. Louis Blues.
The proposed trade, generated by a user on PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, involves the Maple Leafs acquiring Saad in exchange for forward David Kampf and a 2026 first-round draft pick. While purely hypothetical at this stage, the deal could offer Toronto a major offensive boost as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Trade Proposal Details:
– Maple Leafs Receive: Brandon Saad
– Blues Receive: David Kampf, 2026 first-round pick
Saad, 30, is entering the fourth year of a five-year, $22.5 million contract. The veteran winger is coming off a productive season with the Blues, tallying 26 goals and 16 assists for 42 points over 82 games. A key member of the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2013 and 2015, Saad would bring invaluable experience to the Leafs, particularly in the postseason. He would likely slot in as a top-six winger, adding both scoring and veteran leadership to a talented but title-hungry Toronto team.
A Boost for Toronto’s Offense
The addition of Saad would be a significant upgrade to Toronto’s forward corps, especially on the left wing—a position the Leafs are reportedly looking to address before the season begins. With Nick Robertson requesting a trade and the team still searching for options, Saad’s experience and consistent production could fill a key void in the lineup.
In addition to Saad, the Leafs have been linked to free-agent left-winger Max Pacioretty, another veteran who could be on their radar. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Toronto is “percolating” in the left-wing market, exploring various options to bolster their roster.
Hearing same re Leafs/Pacioretty. This would be a SPC, not a PTO, if they agree to terms. https://t.co/CNJA8Y2KWR
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) August 29, 2024
A Costly Return for the Blues
In return, St. Louis would acquire David Kampf, a versatile bottom-six forward who chipped in 8 goals and 11 assists last season. Kampf is under contract for two more years at $2.4 million per season, making him a cost-effective addition for the Blues. However, the centerpiece of the deal for St. Louis would be the first-round pick in 2026, which could help the team in its long-term rebuild.
GM Brad Treliving Hints at More Moves
While the deal remains speculative, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has hinted that Toronto is not finished with its offseason moves. Since signing Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Anthony Stolarz in free agency on July 1, the Leafs have not made any significant acquisitions. However, Treliving has emphasized that the team is continuing to explore ways to improve the roster before the season kicks off.
“We’re not set yet. We continue to look at ways to make our team better,” Treliving said in an interview with OverDrive on TSN 1050. “Sometimes people fall in love with making a big change just for the sake of it. But if it doesn’t make your team better, it doesn’t make sense.”
With just over $1.2 million in cap space, Toronto has some financial flexibility to make a move. Saad’s $4.5 million cap hit would be a squeeze, but the Leafs could explore salary retention or additional roster moves to create space.
Looking Ahead
The Maple Leafs are scheduled to open their 2024-25 season on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens. With speculation swirling and the potential for more roster changes, fans will be eager to see if the Leafs can secure a player like Saad who knows what it takes to win in the postseason.
As the offseason continues, Toronto’s quest to build a championship-caliber roster remains in full swing.
