Insider David Pagnotta says the Toronto Maple Leafs have been shopping Dakota Joshua and Miles Wood in an effort to create cap space for next season.
The timing stings. The Maple Leafs are playing Edmonton tonight, and they come in on a five-game losing streak at 8-11-2.
Pagnotta said: "Dakota Joshua's name's been out there, they've been trying to move Miles Wood; they've been trying to create additional cap space for next season."
We told you on Friday about Pagnotta's report on Miles Wood and Dakota Joshua, and this is the same thread. Wood has been the more active name in the talks, while Joshua's name is simply floating out there.
Neither player is easy to move. Wood is listed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury and, according to the latest injury report, is expected to be out until at least Nov. 30. He hasn't played a game this season.
That alone complicates any conversation with another general manager. Teams don't tend to pay for a winger they can't put in the lineup for another two weeks.
Joshua is healthy, but the production isn't there. He has played 6 games this season with no goals and one assist.
Does moving Joshua and Wood actually fix anything for Toronto?
Not by itself. Cap space is the goal, and general manager John Chayka has been vocal in the market, but two depth forwards don't change a team that has allowed 75 goals against 69 scored.
The Maple Leafs are 3-7-0 over their last 10 and just 4-8-1 at home. That is a roster problem, not a bottom-six problem.
Still, the idea of clearing room is sensible if Chayka wants flexibility next summer. Joshua's deal runs through 2027-28 and Wood's through 2028-29, so both are long commitments for players who are not driving results. Moving them would be a win for the books, even if it does nothing for the standings.
Our view: if Toronto has to attach a sweetener to get Wood out, the price is worth paying. Dead money on a 31-year-old fringe winger is the worse outcome.
The Maple Leafs are in the middle of the second period against the Oilers right now, then travel to Chicago on Tuesday. Any trade call would come with the team still searching for a way out of this slide.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Which Maple Leafs forward is easier to move?
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