Three Of The Best Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Deals
With the 2024-25 NHL Trade Deadline quickly approaching, we take a look back at three trades the Leafs made at the deadline that made an impact.
March 7 is the lucky day for all 32 NHL GM's as they get to play negotiator and try to make a deal in order to either improve their team for a playoff push, or sell assets in the hope of a future dynasty.
Throughout the years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been players at the deadline, and while a lot of the moves they've made haven't been a true blockbuster -- there's still some memorable ones.
We're going to break down three of the Maple Leafs best trades at the deadline.
Trade One: Tie Domi Comes Back; Fights His Way Into Leafs Fans Hearts
Domi, a fan favourite who was always admired for his grittiness and willingness to fight despite his shorter stature -- was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1988.
He didn't last long in Toronto and was traded to the Rangers, then off to Winnipeg before finally landing back with the Leafs in 1995.
Domi was traded for Mike Eastwood, who never panned out with the Jets; only playing 93 games and scoring 17 goals.
For the Leafs however -- they got someone near and dear to their identity over the past 30 years.
In his 12 seasons with Toronto, Domi scored 84 goals and 112 assists in 777 games but added a mind-numbing 2265 PIM including a Maple Leafs record 365 in 1997-98.
The Domi name doesn't tread far from the Maple Leafs either, as Tie's son Max is currently a member of the current-day team.
Brian Leetch Makes One Last Push
It was a trade that many don't think about nowadays but there was a time when the name Brian Leetch drew fear into people and a trade for him would be a blockbuster.
One of the NHL's most gifted offensive defensemen, Leetch carved out a Hall of Fame career with 1028 points in 1205 games, a Stanley Cup, Norris Trophy along with several other accolades.
But even though he was toward the end of his career when Toronto traded for him -- but he was great.
In 15 games with Toronto he had 15 points, was plus-11 and was poised to give Toronto a push to the Cup in 2003-04.
Traded for prospects Maxim Kondratiev and Jarkko Immonen as well as a first rounder -- it was a solid trade at the time (a rare gold star for former GM John Ferguson Jr.)
It never happened, and the Maple Leafs were expected to make a push the following season -- but that never happened either as the NHL Lockout occurred.
Leetch left for Boston, Toronto was left with nothing and it set the tone for the next two decades of disappointment for the team.
David Clarkson's Bloated Deal Shipped Off
Yikes. If we were talking about worst contracts in Maple Leafs history then Clarkson would potentially rank number one.
Brought in to add toughness, grit, and scoring potential -- it was anything but. Getting suspended in your first preseason game by leaving the bench for a fight is a start.
It was all downhill from there.
11 points in 60 games season one. 15 points in 58 games season two. It was starting to look hopeless for the team and his $5.25M AAV was becoming dead weight on a team quickly sinking.
Enter Nathan Horton. Toronto shipped Clarkson off to Columbus for the injured Horton (who was essentially retired at that point) and immediately moved him to LTIR and clearing any and all money either man was dealt.
Call it luck, call it shrewd -- it potentially saved Toronto's future.
What's your favourite Maple Leafs trade deadline deal? Let us know!
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