Maple Leafs Target Top-Pairing Defenseman in Trade Market

The Maple Leafs might have found their missing defensive piece, and it’s a familiar trading partner that could make it happen.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy has landed at No. 14 on NHL insider Frank Seravalli’s latest trade board, and he’s exactly what Toronto needs right now.

The Leafs are desperate for help on defense, and GM Brad Treliving knows he needs to make a move soon.

Sound familiar? It should. The Leafs pulled off a similar deal last year when they grabbed Jake McCabe from Chicago – and that worked out pretty well for everyone involved.

Murphy’s a beast on the blue line. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, he’s the kind of defenseman who makes forwards think twice about crossing the middle. He blocks shots, throws big hits, and has enough offensive skill to keep things interesting.

But here’s the really interesting part: He could be the perfect partner for Morgan Rielly.

"There is a reason the Blackhawks preserved their final salary retention slot," Seravalli points out. "It could be to get creative on a deal like one for Murphy – who is a perfectly serviceable if not flashy No. 4 defenseman."

The money could work out beautifully. Murphy’s current $4.4 million contract might look steep, but if Chicago retains half (like they did with McCabe), you’re looking at just $2.2 million for a shutdown defenseman.

At 31, Murphy doesn’t fit Chicago’s rebuilding timeline anymore. That’s good news for Toronto.

The price tag shouldn’t break the bank either. The Leafs probably wouldn’t need to give up top prospects like Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan. A package centered around Nick Robertson, Topi Niemala, and a 2026 third-round pick might do the trick.

For a Leafs team looking to finally make a deep playoff run, Murphy could be that final piece they need on defense. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you’ve already seen work before.