BREAKING: Maple Leafs Acquire $52 Million Defenseman in Blockbuster
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in their Stanley Cup window, and one trade idea strengthens their team even further.
PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool allows users to make their own transactions. One user proposed that the Maple Leafs acquire Cam Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Cam Fowler ($3.3 million retained.)
Brett Leason: 2026 second-round selection, 2025 fifth-round pick (Edmonton’s).
Ducks acquire:
Nick Robertson
Timothy Liljegren
2026 first-round selection
2026 third-round pick
The proposed trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks could be a blockbuster move that benefits both teams, addressing immediate needs for Toronto while aiding Anaheim’s rebuild efforts.
For Toronto, the key acquisition would be defenseman Cam Fowler, who could slot into their top-four defensive pairings. Fowler, entering the seventh year of his eight-year, $52 million contract, remains a steady presence on the blue line. At 32, Fowler posted solid numbers last season, with 5 goals and 34 assists for 39 points in 81 games. A veteran of 14 NHL seasons—all with Anaheim—he has amassed 453 points (96 goals, 357 assists) in 974 career games, bringing experience and stability to Toronto’s defense.
In addition to Fowler, the Maple Leafs would also receive 25-year-old forward Brett Leason, a potential middle-six option who could bolster their depth scoring. Leason, coming off a season where he notched 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 68 games, adds versatility and scoring punch to Toronto’s forward group.
On the other side, Anaheim would acquire two young pieces to help with their rebuild: defenseman Timothy Liljegren and forward Nick Robertson. Liljegren, a 2017 first-round pick, has shown flashes of potential over his 196 NHL games, tallying 14 goals and 51 assists for 65 points. He could help fill the gap left by Fowler on Anaheim’s blue line and further develop into a reliable top-four defenseman.
Robertson, a former second-round pick, has requested a trade from Toronto after struggling with consistency and injuries. In 87 NHL games, he has recorded 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points. As a restricted free agent, Robertson would get a fresh start in Anaheim, potentially offering more playing time and a chance to fulfill the potential that made him a top prospect.
In addition to the player swaps, Anaheim would likely receive a first-round pick from Toronto, which would further bolster their rebuilding process.
This deal provides the Maple Leafs with immediate help on defense and forward depth, while Anaheim gains younger assets to shape their future.
Ducks Exploring Trade Options for Fowler
Cam Fowler has long been a cornerstone of the Anaheim Ducks, having been with the franchise since being selected 12th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. As one of the team’s leaders and faces of the franchise, he has provided stability on the blue line for over a decade. However, as Fowler heads into his age-32 season, trade rumors have begun to circulate, signaling a potential shift in Anaheim’s long-term plans.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, on his “32 Thoughts” podcast on September 6, discussed Fowler’s name emerging in trade talks. Friedman pointed out that while Fowler remains a valuable contributor, the Ducks are at a point where they need to prioritize their younger talent.
“(Fowler’s) a little bit older. They’ve got a lot of good young players, and eventually what you’ve got to start doing is you’ve got to say, You know what, Cam, we have to start taking some of your ice time so that these other players learn what it’s like to play in the important situations… Fowler knows that when they’re good and they’re really ready to contend, it’s going to be their team and not his team,” Friedman explained.
Given Fowler’s $6.5 million cap hit through the end of the 2027-28 season, Anaheim would likely have to retain part of his salary in any potential trade to make a deal more feasible for interested teams. This retention is a key part of the proposed trade scenarios, which could see Fowler moved as part of Anaheim’s broader rebuild, opening the door for their younger defensemen to take on larger roles. While Fowler’s leadership and experience have been invaluable to the Ducks, both the player and the team may recognize that a trade could be the best path forward as Anaheim looks to the future.
Maple Leafs GM Eyes More Moves
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has hinted that more roster changes could be on the horizon as the team prepares for the 2024-25 NHL season. After a disappointing first-round exit in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the hands of the Boston Bruins, Treliving has made it clear that Toronto is still actively looking for ways to improve.
Speaking on *OverDrive* on TSN 1050, Treliving emphasized the importance of making meaningful changes, not just making moves for the sake of it. “To me, we’ve still got five weeks or so till camp. And, you know, we’re not set yet. We continue to look at ways to make our team better,” Treliving said. “I said at the end of the year we’re going to look at everything.”
Treliving also addressed the desire for significant changes, cautioning that big moves don’t always guarantee progress. “Sometimes people fall in love with ‘let’s make a big change just to make a big change.’ At the end of the day, you can go out and make big changes, but if they’re not making your team better, it doesn’t make any sense just to stand up and say ‘look at it, we made this big change.’”
As the Maple Leafs aim to take the next step in their quest for a Stanley Cup, Treliving’s patient but proactive approach indicates that the roster is far from finalized. With training camp still weeks away, Toronto fans can expect potential moves as the team prepares for its season opener on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.