Toronto Maple Leafs inching towards trading demoted forward

Pagnotta sees little space for the 30-year-old in Toronto's plans, and he suspects the club has been trying to move him for some time.

Here is how Pagnotta framed it:

Joshua carries a $3.25 million cap hit through 2027-28, the final year of the four-year, $13 million deal he signed with Vancouver in June 2024.

Toronto acquired him from the Canucks in 2025 for a fourth-round pick, hoping his size and penalty killing would strengthen the bottom six.

This season has started slowly, with Joshua opening on long-term injured reserve before a conditioning loan with the Marlies.

Any deal also needs his cooperation. His contract includes a modified no-trade clause that reportedly covers 12 teams, which shrinks the pool of suitors and gives Joshua some say over where he lands.

Toronto is also searching for defensive help. Pagnotta has reported the Leafs are willing to move young assets and the Colorado first-round pick they hold for next year's draft, and Elliotte Friedman says they want a big swing on the blueline.

Dollars matter as much as picks in those talks, and removing Joshua's salary is a simple way to create flexibility.

The hard part is finding a taker. A depth forward with a deal running through 2027-28, a limited trade list and a lost start to the year will not fetch much, so Toronto may need to attach a sweetener.

Even so, the Leafs have little reason to wait. Moving Joshua now would give the front office room to work this season and protect next year's books, which is exactly the problem Pagnotta is pointing to.

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