Maple Leafs trade Nicolas Roy to Avalanche for draft picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs made their first deal forward of the NHL trade deadline, sending heart Nicolas Roy to the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional first-round draft alternative in 2027 and a conditional fifth-round choose in 2026.

If the Avalanche’s first-round choose is top-10 within the 2027 draft, Colorado will ship its unprotected 2028 first-round choose to Toronto. The Avalanche, who’ve three fifth-round picks in 2026, will ship the bottom of these picks to the Leafs.

Toronto acquired Roy from Vegas Golden Knights final June because the centerpiece return of the Mitch Marner trade. The 29-year-old pivot has 5 targets and 20 factors in 59 video games for the Leafs this season.

The asking worth for Roy displays a trade market that is been gradual to transfer among the bigger-name forwards. Colorado wanted a third-line heart to complement Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelsonand Roy could be that participant for the Avalanche. He’s a sturdy, bodily skater who can tackle a shutdown function with good defensive expertise and puck motion.

Colorado has been among the finest groups within the league all yr and bolstering their depth down the center was a precedence.

It solely is sensible for Toronto to start promoting off property to usher in capital for the long run. The Leafs, who misplaced their fifth straight recreation Wednesday, have struggled all season and are seventh within the Atlantic Division.

The NHL trade deadline is 3 pm ET on Friday.