Where former Leafs are playing this season

With NHL training camps just around the corner, now is the time for players to get set with their new clubs. A handful of Toronto Maple Leafs are starting with a new team this season. These former Leafs were either traded last season or lost in the offseason. The Leafs themselves look like a great team on paper heading into 2025–26. However, big changes have been made. Let’s take a look at some players they have lost over the past year.

Players traded last season

Timothy Liljegren

Defenceman Timothy Liljegren was once expected to be a major piece of the Leafs’ future. Lou Lamoriello drafted Liljegren 17th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Lamoriello had hopes of him becoming a star defenceman alongside Morgan Rielly. Unfortunately, things just did not work out for him in Toronto. He was bouncing in and out of the lineup, fighting for playing time, and did not make much difference when he played.

On Oct. 30th, 2024, Brad Treliving traded Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks for Matt Benning, a third-round pick (Tyler Hopkins), and a sixth-round pick in 2026. This trade ended up working out for both sides as the Leafs shed his contract, while the defenseman got a fresh start. The 26-year-old will be fighting for some top-line defensive minutes at the Sharks’ training camp.

Fraser Minten

Before the trade deadline, Fraser Minten was one of the Leafs’ top prospects. The young forward had developed well throughout his time in the WHL and was transitioning to the NHL/AHL type of game. His progress made him a prime trade target going into the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. The Leafs needed to buy at the deadline, and they did that with a few trades. The most significant trade was when Treliving sent Minten, a fourth-round pick (Vashek Blanar), and a conditional 2026 first-round pick to the Boston Bruins for Brandon Carlo. This trade worked out for both sides as the Bruins got another good prospect while the Leafs bolstered their blueline.

Going into training camp, Minten will be battling for a full-time NHL role. There is a good chance that Minten will secure the role of second or third line centre on the Bruins. They have a weak centre core with Elias Lindholm holding the first line spot. The 2025-26 NHL season should be a significant stepping stone for Minten, as he may gain a full year of NHL experience.

Conor Timmins

Defenseman Conor Timmins began last season with the Leafs. He was traded with Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fifth-round pick (Peyton Kettles). Timmins was a decent depth defenceman during his time in Toronto. He blocked a fair amount of shots and was not afraid to play physically. At the end of June, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres and signed a two-year contract worth $4.4M. Timmins will start the season in Buffalo, where the Sabres will try to end the longest current playoff drought in the NHL.

Offseason changes

Mitch Marner

Superstar forward Mitch Marner was signed and traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy. This was a massive trade for the Leafs as it ended the Marner era in Toronto. After multiple failures in the playoffs, it was time for the Leafs to move on from one of their core players. Marner was the ultimate choice to move on from. He disappeared at crucial moments in the playoffs and never showed up when it truly mattered.

Marner signed a $96M contract to be with the Golden Knights for the next eight years. He will get to play alongside Jack Eichel, which could be one of the most dynamic duos in the hockey world. With the addition of Marner, there is no doubt that the Golden Knights still believe they can win another Stanley Cup. Next season will be a huge season to prove that, as Eichel could become a UFA next offseason. Will Marner be able to show up in the big moments for Vegas? He will make his return to Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 23rd, 2026.

Ryan Reaves

Enforcer Ryan Reaves was traded this offseason to the San Jose Sharks for defenceman Henry Thrun. Reaves remains one of the last true enforcers in the NHL. He is entering the final year of his three-year contract and may be approaching his last NHL season. The Sharks are not expected to compete for a playoff spot next season, so it makes sense that San Jose may be one of the only places where he can still find a full-time NHL role. Reaves was a solid enforcer for the Leafs, who could help provide a boost of energy when needed. Unfortunately, between his penalty minutes and slow skating, he was not much of a benefit for the Leafs anymore.

Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty was a great pickup for the Leafs last season with all things considered. He provided some extra leadership for the team and was a huge asset in the playoffs. He scored the series-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in the first round and finished with eight points in 11 playoff games. Pacioretty was signed from a PTO last preseason. His performance in training camp and preseason games was good enough for him to earn a spot on the team. This will likely be his only way of making the NHL this season, as he remains a UFA less than a month before the regular season begins.

Up Next: Predicting every single Toronto Maple Leafs game of the 2025–26 season