The Toronto Maple Leafs made significant moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline, acquiring center Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins. In exchange for Laughton, the Leafs sent a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to Philadelphia, where the Flyers agreed to retain 50% of Laughton’s $3 million salary for the next two seasons.

Brandon Carlo also joins the Leafs as a solid defensive addition, traded for center prospect Fraser Minten and another first-round pick. The 28-year-old Carlo adds size and experience to the blue line, complementing the Leafs’ defensive strategy. Following these trades, the Leafs offloaded Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins and cleared Ryan Reaves from the roster. With the Atlantic Division race heating up, these acquisitions signal Toronto's commitment to a win-now mentality as their core players approach critical contract decisions.

The NHL trade deadline saw several significant moves for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they look to adjust their roster. The team traded defenseman Conor Timmins and forward Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This deal, reported by NHL insider Chris Johnston, aims to provide the Maple Leafs with much-needed salary cap relief while adding depth to the Penguins' lineup.

Timmins, who has played 51 games this season with two goals and six assists, has been a reliable part of the Leafs' defense since joining in November 2022. Dewar, a 25-year-old forward, has struggled with limited playtime, managing just three assists in 31 games. The Maple Leafs also made earlier trades on the same day, acquiring Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo, further intensifying their roster adjustments for the playoff push.

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a significant move just before the trade deadline, acquiring defenseman Conor Timmins and forward Connor Dewar from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a complex three-team trade involving the Boston Bruins. The deal saw defenseman Brandon Carlo moving to the Maple Leafs, along with a first-round pick and Fraser Minten heading to the Bruins. In exchange, the Penguins are giving up a fifth-round draft pick for Timmins and Dewar. This strategic move bolsters the Penguins' roster, especially as they look to recover from previous trades of Cody Glass, Anthony Beauvillier, and Luke Schenn earlier in the day.

Timmins, a 26-year-old right defenseman, is recognized for his shutdown abilities. This season, he has contributed two goals and eight points across 51 games while being on a manageable $1.1 million contract for the remainder of the season. Dewar, also 26, is seen as a depth center who excels defensively and on the penalty kill, with a cap hit of $1.18 million and pending restricted free agency later this year. The Penguins' latest acquisitions could play a crucial role in their playoff push as they aim to solidify their standings.

John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs is currently week to week with a lower-body injury and has been placed on injured reserve. He sustained the injury during a practice session, which was described by coach Craig Berube as unfortunate luck. Tavares has had a standout season, contributing 42 points with 20 goals and 22 assists.

In response to his absence, the Maple Leafs have recalled Fraser Minten from the AHL. Coach Berube emphasized the need for other players to step up and replicate the resilience shown during Auston Matthews' previous absence. Meanwhile, Jake McCabe is set to return to the lineup after recovering from an upper-body injury.

The Calgary Flames are at a pivotal moment as they prepare to negotiate a contract extension for defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who has only one year remaining on his current deal before hitting unrestricted free agency. General Manager Craig Conroy is tasked with convincing Andersson to commit to the Flames long-term, especially in light of the franchise's future aspirations, including a new arena set to open for the 2027-28 season.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are actively exploring trade options to free up cap space and create roster spots ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. The focus is on potentially moving five players, including Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Nick Robertson, and Conor Timmins. Each player presents unique trade considerations: Holmberg has underperformed, Kampf’s contract may require incentives to move, Reaves offers limited ice time, Robertson is a valuable asset, and Timmins could be traded due to his upcoming RFA status.