The Toronto Maple Leafs made a surprising move by acquiring Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Joshua, a forward with a $3.25 million cap hit, had a challenging previous season with just 14 points in 57 games due to health issues. The trade, while not involving a star player, reflects the Canucks' desire for salary cap flexibility, boosting their space to $3.2 million while the Leafs' current cap space decreased to $2.9 million.

Joshua's size and versatility could benefit the Leafs, as he has experience playing both wing and center. After undergoing surgery for a cancerous tumor, his return to form will be closely monitored, as he previously posted 18 goals in 63 games during the 2023-24 season. The Leafs now have 14 forwards under contract, with the potential to increase to 15, adding more depth to their roster.