Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Aatu Räty from Vancouver Canucks

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Finnish forward Aatu Räty from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forwards Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr. The trade follows Räty clearing waivers earlier on Thursday.

Räty, 23, has recorded 14 goals and 29 points in 118 career NHL games with the New York Islanders and Canucks. Known for his faceoff proficiency, he maintained a high success rate in recent seasons. By acquiring him after he cleared waivers, the Maple Leafs gain flexibility to move him between the NHL and the AHL without needing to re-submit him to waivers for a set period.

Vancouver receives two young players in Quillan and Buhr. Quillan, 24, was a member of the 2026 Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies and has appeared in 24 NHL games. Buhr, also 24, joined the Maple Leafs organization as an NCAA free agent from Union College.

Separately, reports indicate the Maple Leafs are actively seeking a second-pair defenseman to bolster their roster depth, particularly following injuries to Chris Tanev.