At the 2025 NHL trade deadline, I was extremely hopeful one player would find his way to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This player had been a thorn in the side of the Leafs for numerous regular-season games and heated playoff series. This player is commonly known as one of the best agitators in today’s game. Not only is he able to annoy the opposition as well as any other NHL player, he also has the ability to notch overtime winners to rub extra salt into the wounds.

With the Leafs having no shortage of offensive weapons at coach Craig Berube’s disposal, I was keeping my fingers crossed that GM Brad Treliving would make a splash by adding some much-needed tenacity and sandpaper to his forward group.

The player I believed would have been a perfect fit for the Leafs for a lengthy post-season run, was........

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