In the world of hockey, family ties can sometimes lead to surprising trade talks. Recently, Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet stirred conversation in his latest episode of 32 Thoughts, hinting at a potential move involving Brayden Schenn, the captain of the St. Louis Blues. Friedman suggested that Schenn might consider waiving his no-trade clause to join the Toronto Maple Leafs—but only if his brother, Luke Schenn, was also part of the deal.
Friedman noted, "I heard…Brayden Schenn wasn’t going to waive to Toronto unless the Leafs also got Luke; when all that was going on about teams uniting the Schenn brothers, that’s what I think Toronto was trying to do." The use of past tense indicates that this was likely an initiative the Maple Leafs explored last season rather than something currently in the works.
However, this could be a scenario the Maple Leafs might want to revisit as the current season progresses. Notably, Brayden Schenn's trade protection has lessened since last year; he now has a 15-team no-trade list instead of a full no-trade clause. Meanwhile, Luke Schenn is approaching unrestricted free agency and is playing for a struggling Winnipeg Jets team. Although Toronto has solid depth on the right side of their defense, they may still seek additional coverage in case Brandon Carlo faces injuries again.
Additional Insights from the Atlantic Division:
The Ottawa Senators have found themselves at the center of attention lately, particularly in light of a strong statement they recently released to counter rumors circulating about goaltender Linus Ullmark and the reasons behind his personal leave. General Manager Steve Staios, in an interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, emphasized the importance of supporting players during tough times. He stated, "So I felt strongly that we had to be there for him, (that) I had to make a statement. And whatever comes with that, I can live with. I’m not going to apologize for standing up for my players when they need it."
In another notable development, Jarmo Kekäläinen has made a significant move within the Buffalo Sabres' organization. The Sabres have announced the hiring of Stacy Roest as a professional scout. Interestingly, this role can be seen as a step back in Roest's career; he previously served as the Director of Player Development and Assistant General Manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2013-2014 to 2024-2025.
What are your thoughts on these developments? Do you believe the Maple Leafs should pursue the Schenn brothers together? And how do you feel about the Senators’ handling of Ullmark's situation? Join the conversation in the comments below!
