As the March 6 trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be sellers while the Edmonton Oilers continue to make acquisitions, recently adding defenseman Connor Murphy. This dynamic has sparked speculation about a potential trade involving Maple Leafs’ third-line centre Nicolas Roy heading to Edmonton. While no official deal is announced, insiders and analysts are closely watching to see if these two teams align for a move.
Bob Stauffer from Oilers Now gave a subtle hint suggesting a
“big third-line right-shot C on a team that thinks they might still be in it, but he doesn’t think they will be,”
a statement many took as a reference to the Maple Leafs’ Roy. Stauffer also mentioned,
“I do not believe the Oilers are done,”
implying Edmonton could continue to be active before the deadline, particularly with acquisitions to strengthen their forward group. Roy, acquired by Toronto in the Mitch Marner trade, has yet to fully meet expectations, making him a candidate for a trade.
What Makes Nicolas Roy a Fit for the Oilers?
Nicolas Roy offers attributes that align with Edmonton’s needs. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 200 pounds, Roy provides notable size down the middle of the ice, a valuable asset for the Oilers behind stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He is a right-handed shot with a strong faceoff win percentage of 53.5 percent, both qualities highly sought after by Edmonton.
Roy also brings meaningful playoff experience, having played in all 22 games of the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup run, contributing 11 points and 48 hits. Jim Matheson highlighted Roy’s playoff readiness, stating,
“If Oilers are in on Nic Roy as Bob Stauffer says, I’m for it. Cup winner, big body, right shot, and some offence. .. Nic Roy has another year at $3M after this one so will cost more in acquisition. Bowman likes players with time left. Lots of playoff games vs Oilers.”
The Oilers are familiar with Roy from recent postseason matchups, adding to their interest.
Trade Considerations and Potential Returns for Toronto
Roy carries a $3 million average annual value contract for the upcoming season, which complicates Edmonton’s salary cap situation. Even if Toronto retained half of his salary, Edmonton would likely need to offload contracts, possibly including forwards like Andrew Mangiapane or Adam Henrique, to accommodate Roy’s cap hit. There are reports that Oilers General Manager Brad Treliving might be open to taking on Mangiapane’s contract, potentially as part of a trade package.
Although Roy’s offensive production has declined this season—recording five goals and 20 points—his value remains in his physicality, size, and defensive reliability. These are qualities the Oilers seek, especially since they have lacked strong two-way forwards and physical presence this season. Roy also excels as a penalty killer, further increasing his appeal. Importantly, he is not a rental player, which would add long-term value for Edmonton.
It is expected that Toronto would aim for at least a second-round draft pick in any exchange, with possible additional picks or conditions if salary retention or a player like Mangiapane is involved. Ultimately, whether Toronto is prepared to trade Roy and if Edmonton can clear enough cap space remain open questions as the teams move closer to the deadline. Still, the Oilers are motivated to act swiftly, and the Leafs seem poised to make key roster changes soon.
If Oilers are in on Nic Roy as Bob Stauffer says I’m for it. Cup winner, big body, right shot, and some offence
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) March 3, 2026
