The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Reese Johnson from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for future considerations on Friday.
Johnson played in three games for the Wild this season and did not record a point. The 26-year-old has primarily spent the season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild, where he notched four goals and 13 points in 49 games. It’s unlikely that Johnson will contest for a roster spot with the Maple Leafs this season. Johnson spent the majority of his professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he posted two goals and five points in 42 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
The trade capped off a busy deadline day, where the Maple Leafs acquired Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers, a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin. Philadelphia will retain 50 percent of Laughton’s $3 million cap hit, and he’s under contract through the 2025-26 season.
Toronto also acquired defenceman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected), the Flyers’ 2025 fourth-round pick and Fraser Minten. Boston will retain 15 percent of Carlo’s salary.
“With (Chris) Tanev out the last week or so, we just wanted to make sure we had that type of profile and try to spread those minutes around a little bit more,” Treliving said Friday during his media availability. “I think the D has done a really good job this year. We wanted to add some help with some experience as well as at the center-ice position and give us some depth there. Both players do.”
Reese Johnson is not afraid to drop the gloves pic.twitter.com/4UAc6vs2Ps
— Michael (@mic_mazz) March 8, 2025
After accounting for the new deadline acquisitions, the Maple Leafs hold $195,332 in cap space via PuckPedia, which is likely why they acquired Johnson, as a cost-effective option, who is a pending restricted free agent.
For the rest of Friday’s deadline’s day action, make sure to check out The Leafs Nation’s comprehensive trade deadline live blog.
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