Maple Leafs–Oilers Trade Idea Causes Trouble 

Maple Leafs–Oilers Trade Idea Causes Trouble as Two Rumored Forwards Might Be Exchanged

Just when it seemed like NHL trade talks were slowing down, a suggested trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers has stirred things up again – and not everyone is happy about it.

The Maple Leafs are having a tough season, and there are growing hints that they might have to take on a role they don’t want at the trade deadline: being sellers. On the other hand, the Oilers are clearly in buying mode, eager to improve their lineup to win right now with their star players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Spencer Lazary from NHL Trade Talk shared a trade idea that quickly split fans into two camps.

Suggested Trade:

Maple Leafs get: Andrew Mangiapane, a second-round pick in 2026, and another second-round pick in 2027

Oilers get: Bobby McMann (with half of his salary paid by Toronto)

On the surface, this trade looks good for Toronto. Mangiapane has experience in the playoffs, plays tough, and has a knack for scoring important goals — plus, they get two second-round picks to help their future. For a Leafs team that might be dealing with salary cap issues and future changes, this seems like a smart move.

But this is where it becomes a hot topic.

Bobby McMann has quietly become one of Toronto’s most dependable backup forwards, and losing him, even though he might become a free agent soon, could show how weak the Leafs’ middle line really is. Keeping part of his salary only adds to the criticism that Toronto would be helping a rival team in the Western Conference while making itself weaker in the short term.

For Edmonton, this trade feels uncertain. Mangiapane can be inconsistent, which has frustrated Oilers fans, but trading him for McMann might backfire if McMann works well with Toronto’s system. Giving up two second-round picks also raises concerns for a team that has already traded future picks in earlier attempts to win right away.

Is this a smart trade for both teams, or just another gamble at the deadline that could backfire on them both? One thing is clear: if discussions like this continue, both the Leafs and Oilers are in for some hectic trade-deadline activity, which could lead to tough consequences.