The Toronto Maple Leafs trade prospect forwards Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev, a conditional first-round pick in 2025, a 2026 second-round pick to Chicago for defenseman Jake McCabe and checking forward Sam Lafferty, plus two fifth-round picks (2024 and 2025).

The Maple Leafs get: a physical defenseman with a bit of offensive ability, not unlike Jake Muzzin. So yes, they replaced him nicely. In Lafferty they add another quality checking forward, who can hit (should flirt with 150 this year) and pop 30 points. Since the Leafs are now slightly over the cap (when they activate Matt Murray), it is assumed that the team will trade Alex Kerfoot. That puts Lafferty on the checking line with Zach Aston-Reese and Noel Acciari. But if it's Justin Holl who gets dealt, look for Aston-Reese to be the popcorn server in the press box (displacing Wayne Simmonds from the role).

The Blackhawks get: A longshot checking-line prospect in Anderson and a longshot potential second-liner in Gogolev. Neither are expected to become full-time NHLers, though Anderson may carve out a career on the fourth line. So this one is about the high picks that the team acquired. They now have seven first rounders in the next three drafts.

Fantasy Players Impacted: The spot in Chicago freed up by McCabe will give plenty of audition time for prospect defensemen in the system. The Hawks once had a highly-touted crop of kids on the way, but so far none of them have really dazzled. Alex Vlasic, Alec Regula, Ian Mitchell, Isaak Phillips, Filip Roos, and Nicolas Beaudin each turned pro with varying levels of upside, but none have stepped up as the next potential star D. Mitchell was starting to show so flash in the AHL level, but still struggles defensively. Phillips, Regula and Vlasic appear to be better rounded as complete players. Now we should get a chance to see what some of them can do.

The big impact here is with the young threesome in Toronto. The success of Conor Timmins has given the Leafs options in terms of their future with puck-moving defensemen. Both Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren have made strides and on most other teams any one of these three players would be second-pairing and power-play regulars. On the Leafs, you'll see two of them sitting on any given night. But it says here that one of them makes for an excellent trade chip, if the Leafs aren't done making moves. Of the three, only Sandin shoots left (McCabe shoots left), so factor that into any thinking here.

McCabe is on pace for 30 points and 180 Hits (and at least 150 BLKS). Look for his numbers to continue, or even see a slight uptick.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Mitchell
2. McCabe

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Sandin
2. Timmins
3. Liljegren