Maple Leafs' Dakota Joshua Ranked on Trade Watch
The Fourth Period placed the Toronto winger No. 23 on its 2026-27 NHL Trade Watch List as Toronto looks to shed cap space.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Hockey
The Fourth Period ranked Toronto Maple Leafs winger Dakota Joshua No. 23 on its 2026-27 NHL Trade Watch List. The Maple Leafs, who sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with an 8-7-2 record, have lost three of their last four games.
Why it matters
Joshua is in the third season of a four-year, $13 million contract with a $3.25 million cap hit, and the Maple Leafs added several bottom-six forwards this offseason while needing more cap space. Joshua could be a cap casualty if Toronto makes further moves, and he may draw interest from other teams.
Joshua has zero points, five shots and 12 hits in two games with Toronto this season, after posting 10 goals, 18 points and 195 hits with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26. His 2025-26 totals with Vancouver were seven goals, 14 points and 193 hits in 55 games.
The players
Dakota Joshua
Dakota Joshua is a winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs who previously played for the Vancouver Canucks.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are an original six NHL franchise based in Toronto that competes in the Atlantic Division.
The Fourth Period
The Fourth Period is a hockey media outlet that publishes NHL analysis, including its annual trade watch list.
The details
The Fourth Period released its NHL Trade Watch List for the 2026-27 season, placing Joshua at No. 23 on its board. Joshua's contract carries a $3.25 million cap hit in the third of four seasons.
Timeline
2023-24 season: Joshua posted 18 goals and 32 points with Vancouver.
2025-26 season: Joshua posted 10 goals and 18 points with Toronto and seven goals and 14 points with Vancouver.
2026-27 season: The Fourth Period released its NHL Trade Watch List.
November 4, 2026: The article was published with the Maple Leafs at 8-7-2.
Season Trajectory
Under the NHL's hard salary cap, Toronto's offseason additions of bottom-six forwards have pushed players like Joshua toward trade consideration. With the Maple Leafs sixth in the Atlantic Division, roster moves that free cap space could shape how the team approaches the rest of the season.
Fantasy managers in Canada should note Joshua's modest two-game start with Toronto, with zero points and 12 hits. A trade would change which team's lineup and power play his production appears in.
The takeaway
Teams with tight cap situations often move depth players like Joshua before the trade deadline, so readers following the Maple Leafs should watch how Toronto manages its bottom six.
Further reading
For more on the league's roster and trade landscape, browse the Hockey section.
