What Happened
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired 23-year-old center Aatu Raty from the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in exchange for forwards Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr, both 24. Raty went unclaimed on waivers earlier in the day and will join the AHL Marlies, where he becomes a depth call-up option. Quillan, a Calder Cup champion with the Marlies last season, and Buhr, a recent NCAA graduate, head to the Canucks organization.
Key Details
- Raty, 23, has appeared in 118 NHL games and spent all of last season with Vancouver.
- He cleared waivers unclaimed on Thursday before the trade.
- Quillan won a Calder Cup with the Marlies last season and had a late-season look with Toronto.
- Buhr signed out of college hockey this season; both he and Quillan were undrafted.
- Raty originally came to Vancouver in the 2023 Bo Horvat trade with Anthony Beauvillier and a first-round pick.
What It Means
The deal is primarily an AHL roster shuffle for both clubs. Toronto adds a center with NHL experience who can be recalled if injuries hit, while Vancouver gets two undrafted college forwards, one of whom already has a Calder Cup on his resume. Raty's waiver clearance made him available without requiring a roster spot on the NHL club.
What's Next
Raty is expected to report to the AHL Marlies and work toward a potential call-up. Quillan and Buhr will join the Canucks' minor-league system, with Buhr beginning his professional career after finishing his NCAA season.