Bad News for Max Pacioretty: Could the Maple Leafs Make a Trade to Temporarily Replace Him?

The unfortunate reality of Max Pacioretty's injury is that Toronto lost a key veteran who was a focal point of driving their second line; one of the best in hockey over recent weeks.

There are some internal options they could use to replace him, but they are a bit young and unproven so far, and while they offer a lot of potential, that doesn't always translate to winning games, or success on the ice. So what should Toronto do?

They should pick up the phone and give GM Pat Verbeek a call and work out a trade for Ducks winger Frank Vatrano. Not only would he fit the bill to replace Pacioretty, but is younger and could use a fresh start after struggling mightily this year.

So what does a potential trade look like?

LW Frank Vatrano
D Rodwin Dionicio

RW Nicholas Robertson
D Simon Benoit
2026 3rd Round Pick (TOR)
2026 6th Round Pick (SJS)

Toronto adds a veteran winger to their roster to replace Pacioretty, and they do so while also adding an exciting prospect to their deep defensive system. Vatrano, a 10-year veteran is only 30, and is coming off a sensational 37-goal season last year, but has fallen off a cliff this year with only five points in 13 games.

For his career, he has 276 points in 577 games and would offer Toronto a two-way forward who isn't afraid to block a shot or throw his weight around in addition to finding the back of the net. He's in desperate need of a change of scenery and Toronto would offer it.

Dionicio is a fun prospect too. A 6'2 defender who moves like lightning and scores at will, bringing excitement to everyone who watches.

Drafted in the 5th round, he had a 20-goal season with Saginaw last season and would give Toronto another young weapon in their system. If Topi Niemala or Marshall Rifai make the jump next season, Dionicio can take their spot and bring them as much success.

The Nick Robertson saga ends in Toronto and starts anew in Anaheim. Robertson has been a bust this season and much like Vatrano, could find success with a change of environment. A rebuilding Ducks seems like the perfect fit too.

Anaheim is not good, this we know. Sitting near the basement in the Pacific Division, and not fighting for a playoff spot anytime soon, the Ducks should look to their future and focus on building around Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke.

Benoit heads back to Anaheim, where he spent the first three years of his career. Going back to California would give Benoit a chance to have a mental reset and find a spot on a team where he can play more minutes.

Benoit is a tricky case though, as he did recently have a baby, and moving him and his family across the continent is probably not the nicest thing a GM can do, but this is a business at the end of the day.

The two picks help the rebuilding Ducks as Toronto will more than likely have a later 3rd rounder, and San Jose's 6th Rounder is going to be higher than Toronto's come 2026. It's a rare trade where everybody seems to win in the end.