The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to Brayden Schenn for a number of years, and now that they’ve righted the ship in 2025-26, expect that chatter to increase again as the trade deadline approaches.
General Manager Brad Treliving has shown a lot of interest in the Blues captain; But now that we know what acquiring him would have cost last year, one wonders if he’ll even bother to reconsider the possibility this time.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman conducted detailed discussions between Treliving and Blues GM Doug Armstrong, revealing that St. Louis was looking for a big return for Schenn — one that would have included Toronto’s top two prospects, Easton Cowan and Ben Danford.
said Friedman:
“One thing that I absolutely believe to be true is that the Blues told the Maple Leafs, if you want Schenn, it would be Cowan, Danford and something else, like possibly a pick. And they said that’s the deal we’re going to make to get Brayden Schenn…I definitely think that was the package that was on the table, that had to get it done for Schenn,”
Schenn, 34, is in the sixth season of the eight-year, $52 million extension he signed with the Blues in 2019. He scored just 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 46 games played in 2025-26.
Meanwhile, Cowan, 20, is improving with every game in his rookie season, now up to 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 34 games.
The Maple Leafs can’t pay that price for Brayden Schenn
Unless the Blues significantly lower their asking price, Treliving and the Maple Leafs will likely avoid a Schenn trade just as they did a year ago.
That’s not to say he’s still not an effective player, but for someone in his mid-30s whose offensive output has declined, the cost should be much lower.
Not to mention that the Maple Leafs are quite deep in the middle, and their forward core is starting to find a groove amid their recent heating (8-0-2). If anything, the more reasonable option would be to make a later-round pick for his brother, Luke Schenn, to help solidify a blueline that will likely be without Chris Tanev for the rest of the season.
Next: Maple Leafs among the three teams most interested in Dougie Hamilton
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