With the 2025 NHL Draft in the rear view, the attention of Leafs Nation is turned to free agency. In truth, free agency was long destined to be the best chance the Leafs had at improving their roster, given how much the front office has depleted draft picks and prospects from the trade vault. But relying so heavily on free agency is a dangerous proposition for a number of reasons.
The Leafs will have to be equal parts careful and ambitious, as often free agents are older, more expensive, or stepping into larger roles. At the same time, the team has some clear needs that will have to be filled through free agency. It is also important to note that Leafs GM Brad Treliving often extends PTO offers to players for training camp, meaning that progress will continue after the fervour of the first days of the free agent period. Let’s take a look at what the Leafs will be searching for in free agency.
Core centre
Strength at centre is always elusive, and the free agent class is slim. Already with John Tavares and Auston Matthews, the Leafs still have a lot to work with. The goal here would be to give the Leafs a centre who can take charge of a line, providing a stable foundation for the identity of the third line. Matthews is among the best in the league, a perennial contender for the Hart Trophy, Rocket Richard Trophy, and perhaps even the Selke Trophy.
A defensive specialist
This player would have to push Tavares for minutes, but the clearer way to frame it would be to specify the style of player. The Leafs will want to use Tavares in more favourable offensive situations, and very few free agents, if any, will be able to replicate his offensive production. Instead, a centre who can thrive in defensive roles will allow the team to be at its best. There still needs to be enough functional skills to justify putting more talented wingers with said centre.
Such players are hard to find, and the trade market might ultimately provide some higher upside. For now, the Leafs have Scott Laughton, Calle Jarnkrok, Pontus Holmberg, Bobby McMann, Max Domi, and Nick Robertson, who might be likely wingers for this potential candidate. This centre’s line will have to face tough opposition, and have enough offence to punish when they have the advantage with some consistency. To an extent, the checking line is a crucial part of a championship identity. There will need to be some expression of the intensity required in this line.
The options
Mikael Granlund might be seen as the best free agent centre on the market, but he might not fit the defensive qualities the Leafs need. Granlund is coming off a strong season, and perhaps even a better playoff, bouncing back after some leaner years. Undoubtedly, he is a good player, but the fit is not ideal.
Pius Suter is not as big a name, but might be the better fit. Though not the typical physical archetype, Suter is a really strong defender, thriving under Rick Tocchet’s system with the Vancouver Canucks. More of a scorer than a playmaker, his offensive game does not seem to be as refined as Granlund’s. His stature does not necessarily seem like a Treliving and Berube-type player. Still, he is younger for a UFA and even received a fifth-place Selke Trophy vote last season.
Power wingers
With former President Brendan Shanahan gone, it is believed that coach Craig Berube will have more influence in shaping the roster. While Treliving will still make the ultimate choice, the two have always been aligned in looking for size on the wings. To their credit, the Leafs often looked best when power forwards like Matthew Knies, Max Pacioretty, and Bobby McMann were at their best.
These players can unlock offence without getting credited with a point or even touching the puck. Their influence helps to pay off puck possession and pressure opponents. Adding another option gives the Leafs depth, flexibility, and dimension. There will not be a winger of this ilk that has the quality of Knies, but there will be players who can push McMann when he is on a cold streak.
The options
The best option on the market might be Corey Perry. With some surprisingly good defensive results, Perry is enjoying a longevity to his late-career effectiveness. He still has great skill and deception in tight spaces, and knows how to agitate. His apparent curse as a Stanley Cup bridesmaid would be a huge step forward for the Leafs.
Anthony Mantha has some scoring skills, though often he does not leverage his bigger body as physically as some would like. He is coming off an early season-ending injury and might not be able to earn as much as the one-year, $3M contract he signed last summer with the Calgary Flames.
Justin Brazeau has spent time in the Leafs system, and has some decent scoring touch as a late bloomer. He is a younger option in terms of UFAs, and could be an excellent fit for the Leafs.
Transition winger
As Mitch Marner is expected to leave, the Leafs will be missing a lot of skill and talent from their wingers. One might argue that the Leafs should be prioritizing other areas of their team for a different look, but undoubtedly, replacing some skill should be an option. There appear to be some high-profile free agents that the team can look into. It should be noted that this player might not have access to a spot on the Leafs top power play, which might be an issue.
The options
The two biggest fish are Nikolaj Ehlers and Brad Marchand. Ehlers plays a somewhat similar game to Marner, with a bit less skill but a bit more grit. Ehlers might be leaving the Winnipeg Jets for more opportunity, which the Leafs might have a hard time affording. Brad Marchand brings a lot more dimension to the ice, but is an older player who might not be suited for top-end usage. In the end, Marchand might be the better fit, as well as the riskier option.
Gustav Nyquist is an example of a lower-tier player who might fit this archetype. It is entirely possible that the Leafs avoid these mid-level options, instead relying on internal candidates to fill the void. Easton Cowan, for example, might be able to fill this need.
Checking forwards
The Leafs do have a number of bottom-six contributors to work with, but adding one or two more may be worth the investment. This type of player might be best sorted in training camp via a PTO as well. Regardless, adding designated checking options could help strengthen the team’s defensive identity, as well as their penalty kill.
Brandon Tanev remains a popular option, with his brother on the team. Although he does not provide much offence, Tanev is a dogged worker who can forecheck and add grit. Former Leaf Connor Brown might be looking for a change of scenery, and might provide a bit more offence than Brandon Tanev. These two represent the high end of these checking forwards, but there will be a multitude of other options.
Puck moving right shot defenceman
The Leafs blueline is fairly set. On the left side, the team has four comfortable options in Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Simon Benoit. On the right, the Leafs have Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, and Philippe Myers. There is a lot to work with, but evening things out with a puck moving right shot might bring balance.
Often, it is Ekman-Larsson who ends up playing his weak side to account for the imbalance, Myers finding himself in the press box. It is unlikely that the Leafs can find and afford a right-shot puck mover who is better than Ekman-Larsson outright. Instead, this player might have to pass through waivers or spend long stretches in the press box.
Aaron Ekblad is likely too expensive for the Leafs tastes, as Brent Burns might be as well. Burns could be a great fit under the right circumstances, but those remain unlikely in their own right. Tony D’Angelo has an unfavourable off-ice reputation, and the Leafs do not seem desperate enough to bring in such a distraction. Henri Jokiharju might be able to find a more secure role than the Leafs are prepared to dole out.
Ethan Bear might be in the same boat, searching for a regular role in an NHL top-six rather than the depth role the Leafs have to offer. Still, it is a market worth keeping an eye on, even if the candidates are less obvious.
